Clifford Herman Engling

On Friday, May 5, 2023, 12:42 a.m., at his home in Dayton, Ohio, Clifford Herman Engling peacefully entered eternal life, following a years-long battle with cancer. His loving wife, Diane Patricia Engling (Morrison), supported and comforted Cliff, as he passed away, just as she did every other day during their 50-year marriage. His son, Mark Clifford Engling, and wife, Jessica Engling (Dunn), together with his daughter, Michele Patricia Engling, arrived at Cliff’s side shortly after our Lord Jesus Christ called Cliff home. He was 76 years old.

On Friday, May 24, 1946, Cliff was born near Dubuque, Iowa (Balltown, Holy Cross) where his father, Hubert H. Engling (US Army, WW II), mother, Elverda M. “Verdie” Engling (Steines); two sisters, Darlene and Del Rose; and younger brother, Hubert “Junior” (US Army, retired) farmed for many years. Hubert (Sat., Feb. 5, 1994), and Verdie (Wed., Sep. 19, 2012) were waiting to greet and embrace their son when Cliff arrived, a few weeks before his 77th birthday. Darlene (Clarence) Gansemer, Sherrill, IA; Del Rose Schmitt, Potosi, WI; and Junior (Susan) Engling, Onalaska, WI, remain here to celebrate Cliff’s life.

Cliff thought about joining the Clergy. He decided to serve in another way.

In 1968, Cliff began his 20-year career in the United States Air Force. When duty called, Cliff answered. Maintaining America’s communication lines to defend freedom and democracy around the world, Uncle Sam deployed Cliff to Vietnam, Texas (more than once), Germany, Mississippi, Florida, Nebraska, and Griffiss Air Force Base, a now-closed base in Rome, New York. That’s where, in 1972, he met Diane, the daughter of a construction worker from Westmoreland. It wasn’t “love at first sight.” It was, and still is, a love - enduring, devoted, and strong, with a shared faith in God - that bound them in sickness and health, good and tough times, and until Cliff and “Di” are together again.

On Saturday, May 26, 1973, Cliff and Diane married each other at the Church of the Annunciation in Clark Mills, New York. That’s when the Englings and Morrisons became one family forever. Diane’s father, Daniel E. Morrison Jr. (US Army, WW II, Tues., Mar. 13, 2007), and mother, Harriet J. Morrison-Youker (Sat., May 15, 2004) were waiting to greet and embrace their favorite son-in-law a few weeks before the 50th Anniversary of Cliff joining the family. Remaining here to celebrate Cliff’s life are Diane’s three brothers: Daniel T. “Tim” Morrison, Whitesboro, NY; David P. (Nancy) Morrison, Holland Patent, NY; and Retired Col., US Army, Douglas J. (Cathy) Morrison, Gainesville, VA.

Cliff and Diane welcomed their first child, Mark, into this world on June 11, 1974, at Sheppard Air Force Base, Wichita Falls, Texas. On December 5, 1975, at the same place, Michele came into the world. The foursome was complete. That team would share countless miles traveling and fun as a family, serve as the only friends for each other when adjusting to a new base, and take care of each other when duty to his country called Cliff away. Cliff’s presence in and influence on their lives does not end with his death; it begins anew with the same resolve, devotion, and trust that Cliff fostered, encouraged, and gave. Always keep moving forward, “left, right, left.”

Mark and Jessica married each other on June 21, 2003, St. Luke’s Catholic Church, Beavercreek, Ohio, which marriage gave Cliff his first set of grandchildren: Abigail (2004), Emily (2005), and Landon (2008). Michele married her wife, Tracy Nolte, on October 2, 2010, Willow Tree Inn, Tipp City Ohio, which marriage gave Cliff his first set of quadruplet grandchildren on November 7, 2013: Levi, Daniel, Alice, and Benjamin. Cliff was very much involved with and proud of his grandchildren.

Cliff always helped his family, friends, and neighbors because “that’s what you do.” He could and would fix anything (bikes, cars, electronics, toys, furniture, or plumbing), and he would “make” whatever you wanted from wood or leather, just ask. Cliff fished with his dad on the Mississippi River, his Air Force buddies in the Gulf of Mexico (where he once caught a shark), and his son, daughter, and grandchildren anywhere the fish were biting. If you like flowers, fruit or vegetables, well . . . don’t tell Cliff, unless you wanted him showing up at your house every spring and summer to deliver your favorites grown by him in his garden. If Cliff was around, card games like UNO, Euchre, Conasta, Spades, Gin Rummy or Pinochle could - and most times would - break out. Without doubt, Clifford Engling was the kind of man anyone would be proud to call son, brother, cousin, uncle, airman, husband, father, grandfather, or friend. Those who did will never forget or meet anyone like him.

Cliff is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

To honor Cliff, please send flowers. He loved all flowers equally. Furst Florist, 1306 Troy St. Dayton, OH 45404, (937) 223-1213, https://www.fursttheflorist.com ; [email protected] .

Visitation, 6-8 p.m., May 16, 2023, Tobias Funeral Home, 3970 Dayton Xenia Rd, Beavercreek, OH 45432.

Catholic Funeral Mass, 10:30 a.m., May 17, 2023, St. Luke’s Catholic Church, 1440 N. Fairfield Rd., Beavercreek, OH 45432.

Burial with Military Honors, Calvary Catholic Cemetery, May 17, 2023, following mass at 1625 Calvary Dr, Dayton, OH 45409.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.tobias-fh.com for the Engling family.