James Robert Enser, 81, of rural Wabash, Indiana, died at 4:05 pm, Saturday, March 25, 2023, at his home. He was born on August 25, 1941, in Detroit, Michigan, to Robert and Gladys (Soldwedel) Enser.
Jim was a 1960 graduate of Pershing High School in Detroit, before moving to Peru, Indiana. He married Alma N. Truax in Peru on November 18, 1961. He was an entrepreneur at heart and thought of himself as an Ironworker. Jim took a welding class and opened E & S Metal Fabrication in 1968, with his partner Terry Smith. After the loss of his partner, he continued the business for more than 52 years. He drafted, built, and installed aluminum smelting equipment in many local businesses and throughout the United States. He was also a partner in S & R Enterprises, now the Real Alloy Recycling on Dimension Avenue. Jim was also co-owner of Cranes Inc. which was formed in 1982. He purchased the Dairy Queen in downtown Wabash in 1982, and opened it as Sodas N Such, and operated it until 1984. His favorite business and hobby was Sweet Tree Farms Maple Syrup, which he missed the last few years. Making maple syrup was his hobby, and he enjoyed sharing it with his children and grandchildren. He operated that for over 18 years, and supplied many local businesses with local maple syrup. Jim was also a pilot and served on the Wabash County Aviation Board for several years. He was also a member of the Sweetwater Assembly of God in North Manchester, member and Past Master of the Hanna Masonic Lodge # 61 of Wabash, a member of the Fort Wayne Scottish Rite and Mizpah Shrine, the Wabash Elks Lodge, and the NRA. Jim was a devoted husband, dad, and grandpa. He enjoyed welding, fishing, flying, and riding and driving his horses and mules.
He is survived by his wife, Alma N. Enser; three children, Liz (Stan) Farmer, Mike (Deb) Enser, and Dyan (Dave) Snavely, all of Wabash; seven grandchildren Erica Farmer, Amanda (Nestor) Lopez, Cayla Enser, Sheere (TyLerr) Fuller, Derek Reed, Zachary Reed, and Megan Snavely; six great grandchildren Sienna and Gavin Lopez, Oaklynn and WrenLee Fuller, and Aspen and Norah Reed; sister, Sally (John) Crawford of Mooresville, Indiana; and his brother, Chris (Teri) Enser of Vienna, Virginia. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his grandson, Kaleb Enser.
Funeral services will be 2:00 pm, Friday, March 31, 2023, at Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, 1241 Manchester Avenue, Wabash, with Pastor Jeremy Jones officiating. Burial will be in Greenlawn Cemetery, Mexico, Indiana. Friends may call 3-7 pm Thursday, at the funeral home, with a Masonic Service at 7:00 pm.
Preferred memorial is Sweetwater Assembly of God, North Manchester.
The memorial guest book for Jim may be signed at www.grandstaff-hentgen.com.
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