Neil C. Ensign, 88, of Montpelier, passed away Wednesday, August 16, 2017 at Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice Center in Defiance.
He was born on December 9, 1928 in Bryan to Ward C. and Myrtle D.K. (Cotton) Ensign.
Neil graduated from Montpelier High School in 1946, where he was active in sports. During the 1945-’46 school year he was the NWOAL League Scoring Champion in basketball scoring 120 points. Neil honorably served his country in the United States Navy. On March 19, 1954, he married Norma J. Patten in Montpelier and she preceded him in death on September 19, 2014.
He worked as a clerk for the Wabash Railroad from 1948-1967. From 1967-1970 he worked at Mohawk Tools in Montpelier as the human resources manager. Neil was the owner and operator of Dog N Suds in Montpelier from 1963-1970, Neil House in Montpelier from 1970-1983, H&S in Montpelier from 1975-1983 and Loco Diner in Montpelier from 1983-1989. He also worked at Aro Corp in Bryan as an inspector from 1975-1990. Neil retired from Superior Township in 2016 where he was a sexton and did road maintenance after 26 years of service. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Montpelier for over 50 years, where he served as a past elder and deacon. He was a 65-year member and past Master of the Masonic Temple, Montpelier Lodge #547 then Edon Lodge #474. Neil was a 60-year member of the Order of the Eastern Star Lillian Chapter #41. He was also a member of the Montpelier Moose and the Lions Club.
Neil is survived by three daughters, Patricia (Tom) Creek of Montpelier, Debra (Mike) Jayne of Satellite, Florida, and Jennifer (Gordon) Hodapp of Bryan; grandchildren Sybil (Matt) Wendling of Avon, Ohio, Seth Creek of Columbus, Sasha (Russell) King of Pioneer, Angela (Steve) Brandon of Melbourne, Florida, Laura (A.J.) Scaccia of Melbourne, Florida and Chris Hodapp of Bryan; great grandchildren, Alexander, William and Penelope Wendling, MaKinzy, Kaiden and Hazel King, Colette and Dylan Brandon, and Jameson and Liam Scaccia.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Norma, and sisters Helen Gamboe and Veda Braatz.
Memorial contributions may be given to CHP Hospice, Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice, Montpelier Athletic Department, or the First Presbyterian Church. Condolences can be left atwww.thethompsonfuneralhome.com.