Margaret "Joyce" Engle , 89, died peacefully in the company of family at 2:15 a.m. Monday, June 17, 2024, at Miller's at Oak Point.

She was born in Hillsdale, Michigan, on December 18, 1934, to Loren and Olive (Kiersey) Boger. Her family relocated to the Fort Wayne area in the early 1940s, and she graduated from New Haven High School in 1954. Thanks to a scholarship from the American Legion, she attended the Parkview School of Nursing, where she graduated as a registered nurse in 1958. Joyce began her career at Parkview Hospital and retired from Saint Joseph Hospital in 1997 after more than 25 years of dedicated service, primarily as the manager of the surgery department. During a time when fewer women were in the workforce, Joyce not only worked—she rose to the top of her field, becoming a respected leader in her profession.

Joyce met her husband, Ronald Engle, on a blind date on July 4, 1953. Their shared life began on August 18, 1956, with a double wedding alongside Joyce's sister, Joann, and brother-in-law, Terry King. During their honeymoon, Joyce and Ron moved into a home in Jefferson Township, which Ron had constructed from the ground up. Over the decades, they were meticulous in the care for their home. They lovingly selected and restored furniture logged the details of every home improvement project, and took great pride in their immaculate yard. They also enjoyed a summer lake home at Little Cedar at Tri-Lakes, a cherished retreat where many family memories were created. In their later years, Joyce and Ron moved to Oak Point in Columbia City. Ron passed away in October 2017, but Joyce's unwavering love for her husband endured.

Joyce was a commanding presence, known for her directness and determination, never one to mince words. Yet, alongside these traits, she also possessed a deep affection for her family and generosity that touched everyone around her. Her spiritedness shone not only through her personality but also her hobbies. In her teenage years, Joyce played the electric steel guitar in a small ensemble called the Tropical Sweethearts, entertaining local groups, including the elderly. Throughout her marriage, she and Ron enjoyed numerous motorcycle trips with her sister and brother-in-law, eventually becoming members of a local GoldWing group for adventurous excursions across the West and Midwest. Joyce also had a fondness for sweets, particularly "Honey Buns" and cookies, which reflected her love for simple pleasures.

Joyce is survived by her daughter, Linda Hyndman; her son, Mark Engle, and his fiancée, Marsha Jones; grandsons, Evan (Sarah) Hyndman and Stefan Hyndman; granddaughters, Sunshine (Chad) Eckert, Charity Cherneski, and Shandy Cherneski; six great-grandchildren; her sister, Joann (Terry) King; several nieces and nephews; and her beloved cat, Brewster.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Ron, son-in-law Philip Hyndman, daughter-in-law Rochelle Engle, and infant brother Frank Boger.

Joyce's life was a testament to strength and love, both in her professional achievements and in the home and family she and Ron built together. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

The funeral service is 10 a.m. Monday (June 24th) at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City.  Burial is at the Jefferson Chapel/Sandbank Cemetery.  Visitation is from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

Memorials in Joyce's honor are to Heartland Hospice or the Humane Society of Whitley County.