Hengel

Thomas A. Hengel, age 72, and his beloved wife, Lisa M. Hengel, age 61, departed this life together on Saturday, January 17, 2026. Their journey together was marked by unwavering love, mutual respect, and an enduring partnership that inspired all who knew them.

Married for 30 years, Tom and Lisa made a home filled with laughter, kindness, and generosity. Their devotion to each other was evident in the way they navigated life's joys and each other's interests. They were inseparable companions, always supporting one another through every chapter of life.

Tom and Lisa both graduated from Clearview Regional High School. Tom was the class of 1972, and Lisa was the class of 1982. Both were hard working individuals. Tom earned his bachelor's degree from Glassboro State and became an educator at Clearview Regional Jr. High School. Lisa was an office manager for Ledden Palimeno Landscape Co. Together they loved traveling, especially out west to South Dakota. Taking care of their home was a team effort, Tom took care of the lawn and Lisa took care of planting flowers & gardening. They both enjoyed trips to Lancaster and going to country music concerts.

Along with teaching, Tom was actively involved with the Clearview Regional High School athletic program. He began his coaching career leading freshman baseball and freshman basketball. He found his true passion coaching cross country (1991-2023), girls track and field (1987-2024), as well as winter track, totaling over one hundred cumulative seasons. Coach Hengel's accomplishments were historical. He led Girls' Cross Country to a state championship, Girls' Spring Track to three state championships, was a 2018 inductee into the Gloucester County Sports Hall of Fame, as well as a NJSCA 2024 Hall of Fame inductee, and was named nj.com's 2022 Girls' Cross Country Coach of the Year. None of this would have been possible without his silent devoted partner, Lisa. Together, they instilled values of compassion, integrity, and hard work. Their legacy lives on in their siblings, nieces, nephews, cousins, and all those whose lives they touched. Family gatherings were always filled with warmth, delicious homemade meals, and stories that will be cherished for generations.

They are survived by Lisa's loving parents, Michael & Roberta Falzarano; Lisa's cherished sisters, Deborah Sottile (Robert), and Michelle Spicer (John); Lisa was also the doting aunt to her nieces and nephews, Robert (Kaitlyn), Nicholas (Kayla), Alexandra, Christopher, Ava, and great aunt to Luca. Tom is survived by his nine siblings, Mary Anne Smith (Darvin), Paul Hengel Jr. (Amy), Margie Sammacicci (Nick), Patty Raffa, Betsy Groody, Nancy Hengel, Phil Hengel (Michele), Joe Hengel, Theresa Morrison (Tucker). Tom's nieces & nephews, Rebecca Benjamin, Cody, Travis, Jessie, Ian, Nick, Danielle, Karla, Melissa, Kristina, Mary, Kelly, Justin, Lauren, Addy, Thai, and Robert, and many great nieces and nephews. Tom and Lisa were predeceased by Tom's parents, Paul & Mary Hengel, and brothers-in-law, Chris Groody & Ron Raffa.

Their absence leaves a profound void in the lives of their family and friends, along with many student athletes.

Relatives and friends may visit from 10 am to 1:45 pm on Saturday, January 24th at Church of the Incarnation, 240 Main Street, Mantua, NJ where Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 2 pm. Interment will be private in Wenonah Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Tom and Lisa Hengel Memorial Scholarship Fund benefiting the students at Clearview Regional High School, c/o TD Bank, 148 N. Main Street, Mullica Hill, NJ 08062.

The funeral Mass for Tom and Lisa will be livestreamed at 2 pm. Please visit Church of the Incarnation's website at www.incarnation-church.org to view the Mass online.

Memories and condolences can be shared at www.smithfhmantua.com.