Howard A. Engh, 96, born June 7, 1920 in Chicago, IL died February 27, 2017 in Gig Harbor, WA. He was a dedicated family man; he had great strength of character and witty sense of humor. Howard enlisted in June of 1942 and was a Marine Veteran of WWII, serving 4 years in the Pacific Islands. After leaving the service he worked as a Mechanical Engineer and ultimately retired from the Department of Defense in 1989.

Howard is survived by his wife Elaine; they were married 68 years. He is also survived by his children, Jeannette (Patrick) Vasicek, Michael Engh, Carolyn Read, and Mary (David) Balmer; 12 grandchildren, Joseph Vasicek, Teresa Reyes, John Paul Vasicek, Charlie Vasicek, Matthew Vasicek, Andrew Vasicek, Nicholas Vasicek, Christopher Read, Christina Olsen, Caryn Read, Jacob Balmer, and Michael Balmer; as well as 5 great-grandchildren, Desmond Vasicek, Molly Vasicek, Damien Reyes, Elena Reyes and one-on-the-way; and a niece Sharon Maday and her son, Matthew. He was preceded in death by a son, John and brothers, John and Edgar Engh.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated with Military Honors on Thursday, March 2, 2017, 11:00 am St. Nicholas Catholic Church, Gig Harbor. Rosary will be held on Wednesday, March 1, 2017, 7:30pm at Gaffney Funeral Home Chapel, Tacoma, WA. Entombment will be at Calvary Cloisters.

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