John M. Ensley Sr

John M. Ensley, Sr. passed away on Friday, May 23 at home with his family. He was born July 4, 1942 in Grove, Kansas the son of Gordon and Wilma Ensley, the third of four boys. He graduated from Dover High School. John served in the United States Navy, aboard the USS Paricutin.

He married Ruth Atherton on January 20, 1964. They were married fifty years. They lived in Topeka, Kansas and raised two sons, John, Jr. and Kent.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth. She preceded him in death in 2014.

He is survived by two sons, John M. (Marcie) Ensley and Kent T. Ensley; five grandchildren, Mandy (Kevin) Holbrook, Cassie (Rene) Serna, Matthew (Katlyn) Ensley, Jacob and Noah Ensley; three great grandchildren, Harper, Nixon and Cash Ensley and three brothers, Dennis (Betty) Ensley, Sr., Robert (Virginia) Ensley and Ted G. (Pam) Ensley.

He spent over thirty years in the Sheet Metal trade. He dedicated thirty years as a union sheet metal journeyman. He held a Master’s Mechanical License in that field. He retired in 1999 to his and Ruth’s little hickory grove in Jackson County.

He loved fishing, which he inherited from his mother. He loved hanging out with his grandkids. He was happiest with a wrench, a pair of tin snips or a cold beer in his hand.

Memorial services will be held at 2:00 pm Saturday June 21, 2025 at Parker-Price and Davidson Funeral Home.

Smile! He did!