Adolph William "Duke" Engelbrecht

Adolph "Duke" William Engelbrecht age 93, of Oneida, NY died in Christ on October 30th, 2025. He was known for his love for his family and for his Lord Jesus Christ. He was born on September 8th, 1932, in his parents' home, the late Adolph Engelbrecht and Mildred (Cheney) Engelbrecht, in the Town of Stockbridge. He graduated from Stockbridge Valley Central School in 1950. On February 1, 1958, Duke married Vanita Johnson at Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church in Oneida, NY. For much of his life Duke farmed in both Madison and Oneida Counties. The first herring-bone milking parlor in the United States was built in 1957 in Stockbridge on the family farm. Duke was an active member of the Munnsville Volunteer Fire Department for many years and served as fire chief. He was a member and regional leader of the National Farmers Organization (NFO). In later years, Duke, worked for the State of NY at the Syracuse DDSO caring for people with developmental disabilities. Duke's Christian faith was dear to him his entire life. He was baptized in his parent's home where the newly formed Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church services were held. At age 16 he helped build the church at the corner of Earl Avenue and Oxford Street in Oneida, NY. Duke enjoyed worship, fellowship, sang in the choir, served as elder, trustee, and usher. Duke is survived by his wife of 67 years, Vanita of Oneida, NY, their six children, Marc of Oneida, NY, Eric (Bonnie) of Sherburne, NY, Amy (Rev. Dr. Lawrence Jr.) Rast of Fort Wayne, IN, Lisa (Thomas) Parlato, of Camden, NY, Rev. Edward (Susan) of Columbus, OH, and Wendy (Michael) Moore of Palmer, AK; fourteen grandchildren, Eric, Cory (Brittany), and Shawn (Kelsey) Engelbrecht, Lawrence III, and Karl (Meredith) Rast, Joey Saturn, Ethan and Owen (Rebecca) Parlato, Alexander (Jennifer), Christian, and Caleb Engelbrecht, Gretchen (Nathan) Escobar, Rebecca and Jacob Moore; and sixteen great-grandchildren, Xander, Ayden, Noah, and Sawyer Engelbrecht, Adaleen Landers, Oliver, Phoenix, and Theo Engelbrecht, Jake and Cole Hammer, Graham, Frederic and Lane Rast, Miriam Engelbrecht, and Gianna Escobar; nephews William and John White, and niece Susan Relya. He was proceeded in death by his parents, his sister, Ann Eldred and brother Edward. His confirmation verse guided him throughout his life; Revelation 3:11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take they crown. KJV Please join us in a celebration of his life and faith in his Lord Jesus Christ. Funeral Service will be officiated by Pastor Robert Catherwood Jr. at 10:00 a.m. on November 8th at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church 502 West Chestnut Street, Rome, NY. Memorials may be made to St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church. Arrangements are under the direction of the Campbell-Dean Funeral Home, Inc., 260 Main Street, Oneida.