Jack Essenburg

Jack Lester Essenburg, age 89 of Paris, TN, died Monday, November 11, 2019, at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, TN.

Jack attended the University of Michigan College of Engineering for 2 years earning an associate’s degree in engineering.  He then entered the U.S. Army serving in the Korean War.  After his honorable discharge, he began his career with General Electric where he was a manager for 30 years, working in Holland, MI, Ft. Wayne, IN, Tiffin, OH, and Scottsville, KY, where he was plant manager.  He then moved back to Holland, MI, to serve as manager of manufacturing and sales.  From there, Jack became application engineer for Singapore, Taiwan, and all of Europe, then went on special assignments in Argentina and Brazil.  Next, Jack became the plant manager for Doerr Electric in Sturgeon Bay, WI for three years, then moved to Paris to work as a manager for Tecumseh where he retired.  He loved deer hunting and was an avid University of Michigan football fan.  He was a faithful member of Holy Cross Catholic Church in Paris and the Knights of Columbus.

Jack was born June 20, 1930, in Holland, MI, to the late Jacob Lester Essenburg and the late Viola Ruth Van Anrooy Essenburg Rutgers.

He was married June 6, 1953, to his wife of 66 years, Joyce Setter Essenburg, who survives, of Paris, TN.

Along with his wife, he is also survived by three daughters, Jan (Charles) Strite of Kokomo, IN, Jacquelyn (Asher) Tourison of Zeeland, MI, and Joan Essenburg of Louisville, KY; one son, Joseph Essenburg of Plainwell, MI; nine grandchildren; and nine great grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by two sisters, Kathleen Dykstra and Elaine Wiersema.

Arrangements are being handled by Ridgeway Funeral Home 201 Dunlap Street, Paris, TN.  Visitation will be Thursday, November 21, 2019, from 4:00 pm – 6:30 pm at Ridgeway Funeral Home, with the rosary to begin at 6:30 pm.  The funeral mass will be Friday, November 22, 2019, at 11:00 am Holy Cross Catholic Church, 1210 East Wood Street, Paris, TN 38242, with Rev. Martin Orjianioke officiating.

Serving as pallbearers will be Pete Natoli, Buddy Gardner, Tom Hamilton, Phil Wichlan, Butch Vonlofful, and Ted Neumann.

Cremation will follow the funeral mass.

Memorials may be made to:  Tennessee Right to Life, PO Box 110765, Nashville, TN  37222-0765   OR   Tomorrow’s Hope, 211 N. Brewer Street, Paris, TN 38242   OR   St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.