Gerald Duane Ensign, 86, of Burlington, passed away on Tuesday, June 30, 2020 under hospice care at Heartland Health Care Center in Battle Creek, Michigan.
A public visitation will be held on Monday, July 6, 2020 from 11:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M. at Lighthouse Funeral & Cremation in Union City.
A private graveside service will be held at Riverside Cemetery in Union City with Pastor David Rails from the Burlington Church of God officiating.
Gerald was born in Burlington Township on July 16, 1933 to Clesson and Mary (Funk) Ensign. He lived his whole life in Burlington, MI except for a short time as a child when he lived in the Harper Creek area. Gerald attended the Burlington Country School.
Gerald served honorably in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict and was stationed in France. He married Shirley Seitler in 1955. The couple had a daughter together, but later divorced in the 1970’s. He later married Juanita “Ann” (Woodman) Brown on June 6, 2000. She survives.
Gerald was a hardworking, self-employed farmer who tended to 160 acres on 8-1/2 Mile Road in Burlington, plus tended to many other rented fields. As a young man he farmed with his family on County Line Road. Gerald loved attending tractor shows and refurbishing tractors to a “like new” appearance. He even built his own tractor from scratch and was especially fond of John Deere tractors.
In addition to his wife Ann, he is also survived by his daughter, Mary Ash of Athens, his step-children, Debbie (Barry) Poynter of Litchfield, Rick (Carol) Brown of Union City, Kathie (Jeff) Thornton of Colorado, Patty (Jerry) Wilson of Burlington, Randy (Robin) Brown of Burlington, Jennifer Brown of Burlington; his grandchildren Michael Ash of WI, Matthew Ash of FL, and three great-grandchildren.
Gerald was preceded in death by his parents, his former spouse, Shirley, and his son-in-law Edward Ash.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 129 Jefferson Avenue SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 or the Alzheimer’s Association, Great Lakes Chapter, 200 Turwill Lane, Suite 6, Kalamazoo, MI 49006.
