John Ence

John R. Ence

John Robert Ence, age 73, died Friday, January 1, 2021 in Henderson, Nevada.  He was born March 21, 1947 in Santa Clara, Utah to Kenneth and Anneliese Flora Buggert Ence.

John grew up in Santa Clara, Utah.  He had 3 brothers, with whom he enjoyed playing cowboys and Indians. His love for the Wild West continued on into his adult life. When the TV was on, you could bet he was watching an old Western movie.  He was the peacemaker in his childhood home, where he adopted the name “John the beloved”.  John learned the importance of hard work at an early age, from laboring alongside his dad and brothers in their garden, milking the cow, picking peaches, and hauling hay. He was employed as an attendant at his father’s service station, the Ken Ence Chevron, until he was called to serve a full-time mission in Ireland for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Upon returning home, John attended college at Dixie, where he met and fell in love with a beautiful song leader named Penny Rae Bauer. They were a matched set, and they knew it from the first time they met! John continued his education at Southern Utah State College, then attended North Pacific Dental College to pursue his career as a dental lab technician.

He launched his career in Las Vegas, Nevada where he owned and operated his family dental laboratory until his very last days, with his son Ryan and his cousin Blair Mummey. He was very talented at his trade, a dedicated man to his business, and cherished the doctor relationships that he developed over time. He balanced and modeled the “work hard, play hard” motto to the fullest.

On June 30, 1972, he married his love Penny Rae Bauer in the St. George LDS Temple. They built their life in Las Vegas, NV where they raised their 4 children (Ryan, Eryn, Emylee and Eryka) together with Penny’s mom Shirley. John and Penny were inseparable and loved many happy years, until she preceded him in death on November 29, 1997.  Penny’s passing was very difficult for John, but on September 13, 2003, John married Janeen Taylor in the Las Vegas LDS Temple, and she brought the much-needed love, companionship and joy back into his life. Together they raised her 3 children (Ali, Casey, and Emily), along with John’s loyal and trusty companion, his dog Gus. Janeen was the light of John’s life, and together they made many wonderful memories with their children and grandchildren.

John was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints where he enjoyed serving in various callings and the one he enjoyed most were the years he served as the Bishop of the Eastridge Ward in the Sunrise Stake. He touched and helped many lives as the Bishop.

He lived life to the fullest. He loved experiencing the next adventure and planning the next trip.  He loved the outdoors, boating, fishing, camping, hunting with the boys, ATVs at the sand dunes, days spent in his backyard by the pool, cooking a great breakfast and barbecuing. He loved the mornings and the beautiful sunrises. He loved most sharing these moments with his family and friends. He welcomed all to come be a part of any experience, and always made everyone feel loved and included.
John was a gentle giant and an amazing example of love, Christlike kindness, acceptance, joy, generosity, tenderness, compassionate, gentleness, happiness, hardworking, dedicated, and committed. He was a great big tease, fun loving, and he didn’t let things get him down and maintained a positive attitude that everything would and will be fine.  To know him was to love him. He will be greatly missed.

Survivors include his wife Janeen of Las Vegas; two sons and five daughters: Ryan (Emileanne) Ence; Eryn (Joanna) Ence both of Henderson, NV; Emylee (Chad) Bierstedt of Las Vegas, NV; Eryka (Adam) Monson of Ivins, UT; Ali (Randy) Stalter of Sharon, TN; Casey (Tessa) Kingsland of Boiling Springs, SC; Emily (Andrew) Heaton of Cedar City, UT; 19 grandchildren, Chancellor, Maverick, Penny, Cash, Piper, Zane, Hayes, Enya, Fenix, Niels, Vaughn, Madison, Carson, Samantha, Avery, Maggie, Cole, Finn and Hannah; two brothers: James (Debbie) Ence and Gregory (Jill) Ence both of Santa Clara, UT.   He was preceded in death by his parents Kenneth and Anneliese Ence, his brother Kenneth, and his first wife Penny.

Visitation will be Saturday, January 16, 2021 from 10:30 - 12:30 (MST) at the Santa Clara Chapel, 3040 Santa Clara Drive, Santa Clara, UT.  Graveside services will follow at 1 p.m. (MST) at the Santa Clara City Cemetery.
Flowers may be sent by Jan 15, 2021 to Moapa Valley Mortuary:
5090 N Moapa Blvd
Logandale, NV 89021
Friends and family are invited to sign our online guest book at www.moapavalleymortuary.com