Obituary

Janice Raye Engle, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away on Friday, August 15, 2025, at the age of 87.  Janice was born in Great Bend, Kansas, in February 1938 to Albert and Edna (Shearon) Schlessiger.  In August of 1957, she married the love of her life and high school sweetheart, Rodney James Engle.  In 1961, they relocated to Lee’s Summit, Missouri.

Janice was a devoted stay-at-home mother for many years before bringing her warmth and charm to The Jones Store Co., an eye doctor’s office, The Dress Box, Summit Square (ladies’ boutique), and Steve Thomas Homes, where she was known as “Jan” by colleagues and customers.  Her time at The Dress Box was especially memorable; she joined a bowling team with her co-workers, wearing stylish matching outfits that lit up the lanes at the Green Bowl in Lee’s Summit. During their school years, her children fondly recall receiving many comments from school friends about how young their mom looked and how nicely she dressed.

Janice had a lifelong love for animals, especially for Chihuahuas and Poodles, and her home was always a welcoming place for furry companions. She also had a whimsical passion for collecting antique teddy bears and beanie babies, reflecting her gentle spirit and nostalgic heart. Nothing brought more joy to Janice than spending time with her children, grandchildren, and friends.

Above all, Janice will be remembered for her kind and generous soul. She had a quiet strength and a calming presence that made others feel seen and loved. Her compassion extended to everyone she met, and her legacy of kindness will live on in the hearts of those who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Jacquelyn Noblitt. Janice is survived by her devoted husband Rodney; her three children:  Kim Pfeifer, Darin Engle, and Shannyn Engle; five grandchildren:  Ashlynn Smith, Heather Engle, Drew Engle, Briana Pfeifer, and Sam Engle; eight great-grandchildren: Aaliyah, Tristan, Zayne, Khilynn, David, Kyrah, Eve, and Jordan; and two great-great-grandchildren:   Monroe and Nova.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, August 22, 2025, at 12:30 p.m. at Langsford Funeral Home in Lee’s Summit. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly suggests donations be made in Janice’s memory to Wayside Waifs Animal Shelter in Grandview, Missouri, an organization close to her heart.