Marsha D. Engle, 83 of rural Abingdon, passed away at 12:01 p.m. Tuesday, June 28, 2022, at her home, with her family at her side.
She was born March 28, 1939 in Crawfordsville, Indiana, the daughter of George J. and Autumn J. (Pett) Rivers. Her name was later changed to Marsha Hickok when her mother married A.E. Russell Hickock and he adopted her and her siblings.
She attended school in Wataga and Galesburg, graduating from Galesburg High School in 1957. She also graduated from the Sterling School of Beauty Culture in 1957 as a hairdresser. In 1962, she graduated from Brown’s Business College. She loved learning and had many interests which she pursued throughout her lifetime. She held a Pharmacy Technician License for 25 years and worked at the Galesburg Clinic (on Kellogg Street), the Galesburg Mental Health Center and at Clark/Burgland Drug. She became a Licensed Realtor in 1975 and started her career of selling real estate with Mary Seastedt Realty. She later sold real estate for Town & Country Realty, which later became Coldwell Banker-Town & Country. She remained with that company working for the new owner, Century 21-Tucker Swanson for the remainder of her career. Also, at the age of 57, she earned her Associate in Applied Science Degree from Carl Sandburg College. She worked as a Registered Nurse at Galesburg Cottage Hospital in 1993, while all the time selling real estate part -time, which eventually she made a full-time career of.
She served as a director on the board of the Abingdon Area Chamber of Commerce and the Abingdon Public Schools Foundation. She was a past member of the Kiwanis Club of Abingdon. She was a member of the Church of God of Prophecy in Abingdon.
She married Gary D. Nelson in 1957. She later married Jack L. Engle in 1968 and he survives.
Marsha is also survived by one brother, Brian L. (Anita) Hickok of San Antonio, Texas;
two sons, Todd R. Nelson of Victoria and Timothy L. Nelson of Galesburg; one stepson, Scott A. (Katherine) Carlson of Eldon, Missouri; six grandchildren, Nicole M. (Jeremy) Sewell, Dustin C. Nelson, Morgan E. Nelson, Danielle C. Nelson, Timothy W. Bennett and Callie Shireman; her step-grandchildren, Cayla Carlson, Jacob Bartron and Samuel Bartron; two special great-granddaughters, Nevaeh Mayberry and Layla Sewell; two great grandsons, Michael Scott Arnold and Brooks Dean Beair; and one great-grandchild on the way. She loved her whole family and enjoyed special events and family vacations, but mostly, spending time with all of them.
She was preceded in death by her parents, an infant son and one sister, Maren K. Carlson.
As she requested, cremation will be accorded. To celebrate her life, the family will receive relatives and friends from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, July 6, 2022 at the Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services Abingdon Chapel followed by her memorial service at 5 p.m. with Rev. Jeremiah Barker officiating.
In lieu of flowers, Marsha requested donations be made to the Church of God of Prophecy, Feed My Lambs or the Galesburg Rescue Mission. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.
