ENESS, John T. (1921-2005)

ENESS, CHENTLAND, VAAGE, MCKINNEY

Posted By: Hancock Co Genealogical Society (email)
Date: 3/10/2016 at 20:46:46

John T. Eness, 1921-2005

April 20, 2005

John T. Eness, 83, of Garner, died on Monday, April 11, 2005, at the Heritage Care Center, Mason City.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, April 16, at the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Garner, with the Rev. Henry Friedrich officiating. Music was provided by organist, Barb Mrosko who accompanied soloist, Beverly Cataldo and congregational hymns. Gary Mrosko was the usher.

Casket bearers were Lynn Smith, Bill Short, La Vern Vaage, Larry Vaage, Sylvan Meling and Brad Snodgrass. Burial was in the Concord Township Cemetery, Garner, with military rites by the Garner Veterans Ceremonial Unit. The Cataldo Funeral Home of Garner was in charge of the arrangements. Memorials may be directed to St. Paul Lutheran Church or Hospice of North Iowa.

John Thomas Eness, the son of Thomas and Bertha (Chentland) Eness, was born on May 8, 1921, on a farm near Crystal Lake. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. He graduated from the Garner High School in 1940. He began working in the plumbing, heating and air conditioning trade. He also worked as a movie projectionist for several years at the Avery Theater in Garner.

John served his country in the U.S. Army during WW II as a medical technician. He was stationed in England for two and one-half years in the 303rd U.S. Hospital north of London. Following his honorable discharge he returned to Garner and continued working in the plumbing, heating and air conditioning trade for over 50 years at C. J. Schneider's Hardware and Grocery and Smith's Hardware.

One of his biggest joys was helping his customers seven days a week, providing emergency service even on holidays and in all types of weather. As he got older, so did his customers and into his 80s he enjoyed the challenges of serving his friends.

His hobbies included gardening with special interest in day lilies. When his mother died he took over tending her African violets. Other interests included flying, fishing and woodworking.

He was a member of the St. Paul Lutheran Church where he serviced the heating system, St. Paul Men's Club and the Gifford Olson American Legion Post No. 256 in Garner.

John is survived by his sister, Bernice Eness of Garner; three brothers, Orville (Karen) Eness of Park Ridge, Illinois, Vergil (Joan) Eness of Clear Lake and Arlyn (Carolyn) Eness of Iowa Falls; an aunt, Della Vaage of Forest City; 12 nieces and nephews; many cousins; and great nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and a sister, Judith (Roscoe) McKinney.

©The Garner Leader & Signal 2005