Wesley E. Engelkes, 71, formerly of Kings IL, passed away Wed. Aug. 7, 2013 in Sun City, AZ. He was born January 14, 1942 in Rochelle, IL to Rankin and Evelyn (Dietmeier) Engelkes. Wes married Eileen (O'Laughlin) Davey on April 4, 1970 in Kings, Il. He was a member of Rock Church and a retired farmer. He and his wife, Eileen, had previously managed King's Camp for 10 years. Wes was a member of the Oregon V.F.W.
Wes grew up in Stillman Valley, and as a graduate of Stillman Valley High School, held a record in track in field for sixteen years. After high school, he joined the United States Air Force, and he served his country with pride. Upon his discharge from the service, he returned to Ogle County where he began a career in farming, which was his passion. In 1970, when Wes married Eileen Davey, a widowed mother; he became a father to her four children, and was welcomed as a brother by the men of the Davey family. He never made a distinction between his adopted and natural children. Wes also worked in Rockford, Illinois at A & B Freight Lines for thirty-two years. He never met a stranger, and he and Eileen never turned away anyone in need. Wes particucularly enjoyed watching the Green Bay Packers, collecting sundry items, and practicing his marksmanship skills. Wes would want for people to remember him by his love of God and his fellow man, and as the man who didn't trust a person who didn't like ice cream.
He was preceded in death by a grandson, Nicholas Ryan Boehle, April 23, 2008 and sister, Judith.

Wes is survived by his wife, Eileen, one son, Bernard (Melanie) Davey of La Vernia, TX, 5, daughters, Deborah (Jim) Boehle of Scottsdale, AZ, Deana (Steve) Bingham of Rochelle, IL, Lisa Davey of Phoenix, AZ, Pamela (Michael) McCloskey of Peoria, AZ, Samantha (Bill ) Hardt of Scottsdale, AZ, 12 grandchildren, Erica (Bryan Clifton) Boehle, Alicia Boehle, Steve (Jen Kindle) Bingham, Erin (David) DiMenna, Brittany Davey, Michael Davey, Stephanie (Chris) Chaplin, Joseph Davey, Gabrielle McCloskey, Regan McCloskey, Bailey Hardt and Ethan Hardt, 3 great-grandchildren, Ella Chaplin, Natalie Chaplin, and Lylleah McCloskey, 4 brothers, David Engelkes of Sauk City, WI, Rodney Engelkes of Machesney Park, IL, Brad Engelkes of Kings, IL, Terry Engelkes of Kings, IL, and one sister, Cindy (Orson) Bangert, of Sharon, WI.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 A.M., Friday, August 16, 2013 at the Unger Horner Funeral Home, 400 N. 6th St., Rochelle. The visitation will be from 4:00 to 8:00 P.M., Thursday, August 15, 2013 at the Unger-Horner Funeral Home. Burial will be at the White Rock Cemetery. A memorial fund has been established.