Oran Joseph “Sonny” Engler, Jr., 86, of Williamsport, passed away on Sunday, February 16, 2025, at UPMC Williamsport. He was born in Williamsport on August 14, 1938, a son of the late Oran J., Sr. and Gladys (Stackhouse) Engler.
Sonny served his country in United States Army. He married the love of his life, the former, Jane C. Weaver. They were together for 53 years until her passing on May 3, 2014. Sonny worked many years at Bethlehem Steel as a crane operator until their closing and then retired from General Cable. He was a member of Annunciation Church in Williamsport. Sonny enjoyed taking long car rides to anywhere and everywhere. He played the steel guitar in many bands and enjoyed singing. A big sports fan, he always cheered for the Green Bay Packers, Boston Red Sox and the TCU Horn Frogs.
Surviving Sonny are two sons, Michael K. Engler and Mark K. (Sherill) Engler; a daughter, Michele (Tim) Karschner, all of the city; 10 grandchildren, Chris (Connie) Engler, Alicia (Josh) Kidwell, Cory (Courtney) Engler, Amy (Joe) Winter, Abby (Jesse) Cammer, Andy (Jordan) Engler, Brandon Tedesco, Bryan (Riah) Tedesco, Ashley Cowan and Ricky Tedesco; 16 great grandchildren, Ben, Ella, Cayley, Makayla, Maddy, Cami, Makenzie, Waylon, Brady, Bryson, Payton, Crew, Zara Rae, Juliana, Cali and Owen; a brother, James “Jim” Engler; a sister, Judy Little; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents and wife, Jane, Sonny is preceded in death by a great granddaughter, Remi Joan Cowan; and three sisters, Mary Jane Steinbacher, Dixie Orcutt and Jean Hoffman.
A memorial service for Sonny will be held at 11am on Friday, February 21, 2025, at Maneval Allen Redmond Cremation & Funeral Home, 500 W. Fourth St., Williamsport, with Pastor Salvatore Minnella officiating.
Family and friends are invited to attend a visitation from 10am until the time of the service at the funeral home on Friday. Burial will be in Resurrection Cemetery, Muncy.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Sonny’s name to Remi’s Purpose c/o Michele Karschner, 1626 Meade St. Williamsport, PA 17701.
The family would like to give a special thank you to Sonny’s caregivers June, Marta, Nancy and Morgan at Caring For You for their exceptional care and compassion.
To leave a condolence for the family or to share your fondest memory of Sonny, please visit http://www.jamesmaneval.com.
