Angelyn D. Horwath

Engela, (Angelyn) was born on September 3, 1927 in Joliet, Illinois to parents Nicholas (John) and Mary (Novotny) Viscum. She was born at home and delivered by a midwife at the Viscum family home on 418 Williamson Ave in Joliet, Illinois. Angie was one of nine children and the last one to pass. Angelyn was given the name “Engela” at birth because her father thought she looked like an angel and the midwife was European and did not know how to spell “angel” so she wrote “Engela” on the birth certificate. When Angie was 20 years old, she was told by a lawyer in Joliet, IL that she could just change her first name to whatever she wanted, without going to court. So, she had it legally changed through an attorney to Angelyn and it has been Angelyn ever since that day.

Preceded in death by her beloved husband, Leroy J. Horwath of Morris Plains, NJ. Parents, Nicholas (John) and Mary Viscum, Joliet, IL, Brothers, Matthew Viscum, FL, Joseph Viscum, Joliet, IL, Bobby Viscum, Joliet, IL.  Sisters, Anne Jonish, Joliet, IL, Marie Bostjancic, Joliet, IL, Olga Zierman, Joliet, IL and Jean Irene Viscum, Joliet, IL. Granddaughter, Allison Michelle Horwath, Paradise Valley, AZ.

Survived by her children, Leanne Horwath, Robert Horwath (Janet) Shallotte, NC, Thomas Horwath (Beth) Fountain Hills, AZ, Barbara Axelson (Marshall) Queen Creek, AZ and Patrick Horwath (Fiancee, Candace Lee, Scottsdale) Mesa, AZ.

Granddaughter, Heather Mannick (Justin) Mesa, AZ. Grandson’s, Taylor Horn, Gilbert, AZ, Kyle Horwath, Scottsdale, AZ, Kyle Axelson, Queen Creek, AZ, Brian Horwath (Tanya) Hackettstown, NJ. Great-Grandson, Tennessee Lee Mannick, Mesa, AZ

Angie has been a resident of Gilbert, AZ for 24 years. Before moving to Arizona, Angie lived in Morris Plains, New Jersey, Burlington, North Carolina, Chicago, IL and Joliet, IL.

Angie attended Lincoln Elementary School, Central Junior High School and Joliet Township High School, all in Joliet, IL. She graduated high school in 1945. She was blessed with a beautiful singing voice and was asked to sing at many weddings and even sang at Al Pohler’s Memory Hour, a music show that was broadcasted on WJOL the radio, from the Elks Club in Joliet, IL. She also worked as a secretary at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center in Illinois, after WWII.

At almost 19 years old, Angie met the most wonderful man, who stole her heart. Her sister-in-law, Dorothy asked her to take a ride to go swimming at a lake in Romeoville, IL. Along for the ride came another friend of Angie and Dorothy’s, her name was Ann Horwath. The three ladies walked along the beach and Angie noticed a handsome guy sitting on a blanket on the beach. Ann Horwath said, want to meet him? I know him! That’s my nephew Lee! Well, they fell in love and a year later on June 5, 1948 they were married at St. Mary’s Assumption Catholic Church in Joliet, IL. They lived in Chicago for a few years and had one child before Lee was transferred to North Carolina. In North Carolina they had four more children and then Lee was transferred again to Morris Plains, New Jersey to work as an Engineer at Bell Laboratories, in Whippany, New Jersey. Her beloved Lee passed away in June of 1994. Angie moved to Gilbert, Arizona in October of 1998.

She spent many years volunteering as a room mom for many of her kid’s classes and for various school functions. She volunteered to read to the special education classes weekly in the library for many years at Littleton Elementary School, Parsippany, New Jersey. Later in life while living in Gilbert, AZ she enjoyed volunteering at the Gilbert Senior Center serving meals to seniors, calling bingo and helping out where needed. Angie was always willing to help others in need.

If you knew Angie, you knew how important her family was to her. In fact, her favorite thing to do was be with her family. She also loved to cook and bake. She was a wonderful cook! Baking goodies for others brought such joy to her. She loved to make her famous lemon bars and was quite well known for them.

Angie is gone, but will never be forgotten and will certainly be missed by all who loved her.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any donations be made to the American Diabetes Association.