John 'Jack' Ennest

John (‘Jack’) Ennest was born October 14, 1942. His early years were in Minden City and Saginaw. Jack entered St. Joseph Catholic Seminary in Grand Rapids at age 15, returning to Saginaw for his senior year of high school.

After graduating from the University of Detroit (B.S. 1964) and MSU (MBA 1965), Jack began his banking career at National Bank of Detroit (NBD) serving as V.P. and Assistant Comptroller, responsible for the Accounting and Operations Control Group, then appointed Director of Corporate Planning for NBD Bancorp, the parent holding company of NBD.

In 1979, during President Carter’s Administration, he was selected to participate in the President’s Executive Exchange Program, which offered a few individuals from private industry an opportunity to work for the federal government for a year. He served as a Deputy Administrator of Farmers Home Admin., an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Jack joined Citizens Bank in Flint, MI. in 1983 as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. He was appointed President and CEO of Citizens Bank in 1987, before being named Vice Chairman and COO of CBC, the parent holding company of Citizens Bank, in 1991. During the remainder of his career at Citizens, he served in a variety of capacities including Chairman and CEO of National Bank of Berwyn, Illinois; on the Boards of Citizens, SNB of Saginaw, and CBC. At the time of his retirement in 2001, he was Vice Chairman of the Board and Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Citizens Banking Corporation.

Throughout his career and retirement, Jack was involved in numerous community activities and organizations including Mott Children’s Health Center, Catholic Charities/Center for Hope in Flint; Baker College, Resource Center, United Way, Genesee County Chamber of Commerce, Whaley Children’s Center, and the Autism Support Group of Genesee County (now Autism Resource Center).

Jack married his first wife, Mary Ellen, in 1968 (deceased 1995). He married his present wife, Cheryll, in 1997.

Jack leaves behind to cherish his memory his wife, Cheryll; children Meg (Adam) Sprecher of Grand Blanc, John Ennest of St. Claire Shores, and James Ennest (Hayley) of Kalamazoo; stepchildren Jennifer Pease of Grand Blanc and Nathan Pease (Sara) of Chicago; grandchildren Anthony Pease, Blake Alejandro, ‘Little’ John Pease, Ellen Ennest, Willow Ennest, and Mary Sprecher; siblings Ann (Tim) Grill of Charlevoix, Monica (Rich) Jaccaud of Denver, Mary (Steve) Kelly of Saginaw, Renee (Scott) Ronan of Rochester Hills, Billy (Holly) Ennest of Alpena, sister in law Pam Ennest. Jack is preceded in death by his siblings Joseph Ennest and Myron Ennest.

Jack enjoyed golf, visiting the cottage, spending time with family and friends.

A visitation for Jack will be held Wednesday, July 26, 2023 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Hill Funeral Home, 11723 S. Saginaw St. Grand Blanc, MI. (a family only visitation 4-5) A funeral mass will occur Thursday, July 27, 2023 at 10:00 AM, with a one hour of visitation prior at Holy Family Catholic Church, 11804S. Saginaw St.,Grand Blanc, MI. Jack will be laid to rest at Evergreen Cemetery in Grand Blanc, MI.

Memorial contributions may be made in Jack’s honor to the charity of your choice.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hillfh.com for the Ennest family.