Don L. Engelbrecht

Don Leo Engelbrecht, 83, of Tipton, passed away at 8:13 a.m. on Wednesday, March 13, 2024, at his home. 

He was born February 20, 1941, in Moniteau County, son of Leo Elbert and Lucy May (Spears) Engelbrecht. 

On August 26, 1962, at Main Street Baptist Church in California, he was united in marriage to Lucy Marie (Hill). 

Don was a veteran of the United States Army, serving from 1963 to 1966 during the Vietnam War as a fixed wing pilot, attaining the rank of captain. 

He earned a B.S. in Ag Economics from the University of Missouri-Columbia.  Don was a lifelong farmer and cattleman and had worked for Production Credit  Association and USDA-FSA. He was the proud owner of a Missouri Century  Farm. 

Don was a faithful member of First Baptist Church of Tipton, where he served as a deacon, business meeting moderator, Bible study teacher and in the youth ministry. He was the moderator of the Concord Baptist Association. He was awarded the State Farmers Degree by MO State FFA. At the age of 17, he was the proud owner of the first diesel tractor in Moniteau County. He was a member of Gideons International, Edgar Cole American Legion Post 304, and  Missouri Cattlemen's Association. He served on the Tipton School Board from  1977 to 1984, with seven of those years as president. He was proud to have gone on the Central Missouri Honor Flight in 2022. He also volunteered with the Concord Building Team, where he was chaplain. 

Don’s hobbies included restoring tractors, bowling, participating in antique tractor events, and staying busy on the farm. He will be remembered as a man of integrity who instilled the value of respect and hard work in others. 

Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Lucy, of the home; four children, Darla  Fisher (Ron), of Hutchinson, KS, Steven Engelbrecht (Holly), of Miami, OK, Kent Engelbrecht (Allison), of Decatur, IL, and Scott Engelbrecht (Jennifer), of  Bentonville, AR; twelve grandchildren, Lindsey Tiberti (Angelo), Karissa Ward  (Ethan), Megan Dykema (John), Katie Clark (Noah), Megan Russian, Madison  Russian, Trey Engelbrecht (fiancé, Danna Flores), McKenzie Russian, Hayden  Engelbrecht, Gage Engelbrecht, Sophie Engelbrecht and Mia Engelbrecht;  nine great-grandchildren, Sutton, Jelindo, Everett, Margaret, Auden, Miller, Keeley, Maverick and Hallie; and four siblings, Anna Strother, Linda Gillilan, Earl Engelbrecht and Carol Hall.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and a sister, Betty Kirchoff (by three hours). 

The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon Saturday, March 23, 2024, at First Baptist Church of Tipton, where a celebration of life service will be held at 12:00 noon. 

Family burial will be held at California City Cemetery, with military honors by the U.S. Army and Edgar Cole American Legion Post 304. 

Honorary pallbearers will be Fred Bredehoeft and the Eugene Zimmerman family. 

Memorials are suggested to Gideons International or First Baptist Church of Tipton. 

Arrangements are in the care of Meisenheimer-Page-Dady Funeral Home in Tipton.