Obituary for Donald Ennis
MR. DONALD “DONNIE” JOE ENNIS, age 64, of Eastman, GA, formerly of Chicago, IL, died Thursday, December 2, 2021, at Dodge County Hospital.
A celebration of life service will be held at 3:00PM Monday, December 6, at the Ennis residence, 52 Pecan Lane for any friends or family who would like to come and remember and reminisce the life of Donald. Another celebration of life service will be held at a later date in Chicago, IL.
Donnie was born and raised in Chicago, IL of the Baptist Faith, and a veteran of the U.S. Navy, where he served as an aircraft electronics technician on several ships including the U.S.S. Kitty Hawk where he worked on A-5 Vigilante aircraft. After leaving the Navy, he went to work for Honeywell in Chicago, IL, as a control technician for several years before later going to work as an operating engineer for several companies before ultimately going to work for with the Chicago School System. He loved his time working for the Chicago School System. He loved being around the children, who all affectionately called him Mr. Don. He also enjoyed his part-time job and hobby of being the number one holiday Santa. The inspiration and joy he was able to provide to children brought much happiness and enjoyment to his heart. He would always have candy canes stashed in his pockets, even in the off season, to give to all the good little boys and girls. Donnie had a love for animals and also enjoyed riding motorcycles, bird watching, and in his earlier years, was an avid outdoorsman. He was the son of the late Elsie Webster Ennis and Clifford Ennis, Sr. and was preceded in death by a Brother, Ronald Ennis.
He is survived by his Loving and Devoted Wife – Mary Goetz Ennis of Eastman; Daughter – Melissa Diamond of Woodstock, IL; 2 Sons – Christopher Bowen of Raleigh, NC and Joshua Ennis of Forest Park, IL; 3 Grandchildren – Bradley Wosar, Madison Diamond, and Jackson Diamond; 2 Brothers – Henry Ennis (Judy) of Low Moor, IA and Clifford Ennis, Jr. (Lori) of Sabula, IA; Several Nieces and Nephews.
Replies
A great young man and sailor! Don was not only a shipmate but a dear friend! Don was one of the brightest, most organized, hardest working and best young sailors that ever worked for me ! ATCS Carl Holland
Carl,
Don and I served together at NAS Key West AIMD in QA on Shore Duty. He and I would sail my Comet sailboat in the Key West Sailing Club's racing series in the Sea Plane Basin off Trumbo Annex. He was a good friend and shipmate.