Vernon L. Engelbert of Poulsbo died July 18, 2003 in Bremerton. He was 80.

Engelbert was born to Earl and Alta (Jones) Engelbert in Lewiston, Mont. on Oct. 23, 1922.

He married Norma D. Melville on Jan. 13, 1943 in San Francisco, Calif.

Engelbert graduated from Everett High School in 1940. He then joined the U.S. Army and served in the Coast Guard from approximately 1941 to 1963, receiving the rank of Master Sergeant.

He worked at Alaska Communications Systems as a communications technician until his retirement.

Engelbert was a member of the Sons of Norway and the Elks. He enjoyed golf, playing cards and dancing. He was a Protestant.

Engelbert is survived by his wife Norma D. (Melville) Engelbert of Poulsbo; daughters Joann (Bill) Meyer of Poulsbo, Barbara (Charlie) Mitchell of Juneau, Alaska and Patricia (Don) Silvey of Kansas City, Mo.; nine grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents Earl and Alta (Jones) Engelbert and daughter Judith Engelbert.

A memorial service was held on July 22 with inurnment at Cypress Lawn Memorial Park in Everett.

Memorial gifts may be sent to Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research, P.O. Box 19024, Seattle, WA 98109.