JHE

ENGEL, JOSEPH HARRY, age 92, of Jasper, AL, passed away on October 24, 2008. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, October 26th at Collins Burke Funeral Home in Jasper. Interment will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery. Rabbi Scott Hausman-Weiss will officiate. Mr. Engel and his family owned and operated Engel's Department Store in downtown Jasper for many years. He co-founded Top Dollar Stores with his brother-in-law, J. George Mitnick, which grew to a chain of 250 retail stores in eleven states. Mr. Engel has been associated with Crowne Partners for the past few years. Mr. Engel served with the U.S. Army in World War II, entering as a Private at Ft. McClellan, Anniston, AL in 1942, and discharged as a First Lieutenant in 1945. Mr. Engel loved his hometown of Jasper, AL and was very active in civic affairs throughout his life. He was a past president of the Jasper Kiwanis Club and a member for over 50 years, a past chairman of the Jasper Area United Way Campaign, and a member of the Masonic Lodge for over 60 years. He was also a member of Temple Emanu-El in Jasper and served as Secretary/Treasurer for over 65 years. Mr. Engel was preceded in death by his loving wife, Reva Levy Engel, parents, Ike Z. and Fannie Engel, brother-in-law, J. George Mitnick, all of Jasper, brother, Ben Engel and his wife, Frankie Engel of Birmingham, and brother, Bob Engel, of Omaha, NE. He is survived by his daughter, Ilene Engel and son-in-law, Bob Arotsky, of Washington D.C., son and daughter-in-law, Alan and Lisa Engel; and three special granddaughters, Andrea, Marci and Ilana, all of Birmingham. He is also survived by his sisters, Lillie Buchstane and Willine Mitnick of Jasper; sister-in-law, Renee Engel of Omaha, NE; and many loving nieces and nephews. The family is grateful to his compassionate caregivers: Barbara Maxwell, Susie Williams, Beatrice Mosley, Christy Bobo, Dorothy Brown, and Aleta Gardner. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the Reva Levy Engel Fund of the Birmingham Jewish Foundation, PO Box 130219, Birmingham, AL 35213 or to the Walker Area Community Foundation, PO Box 171, Jasper, AL 35502.

I had the pleasure of working with Mr. Engel for 3 years. He was a very kind a generous man, always thinking of others. I use to take Mr. Engel home every afternoon. He still came to work even at 90 years of age!! He didn't get there til 3, but he still came in everyday. I would walk with him to the passenger's side and help him get in my car and buckle him in. I don't know how he got in and out of my car, but he did. He was a great person and loved by all. He will be greatly missed!!