Donald Wayne Johnson

Donald Johnson passed away at his residence on November 8th 2011 at the age of 88. Don was born in Hersey, Michigan on August 14th 1923 the son of Fred and Anna Johnson, the fourth of five children. In 1928 the family moved to Hastings where he along with sisters Evelyn, Dorothy, Sally and his brother Lee attended and graduated from Hastings High School. Don was active in high school lettering twelve times in four sports and captaining the football team. After graduation he enlisted in the Marine Corps on December 9th 1942 serving in the Pacific until late 1945. Don married Caroline Hansen on May 2nd 1946, the couple had five children: Bill, Mark, Janet, Judy and Donald Jr.
During Don's lifetime he held many jobs, during high school he cleaned Foxes Barber shop every morning before school and worked at the J C Penny store after athletics. Following the war he briefly owned a Taxi service in Hastings; drove a truck route collecting milk at farms for the Pet Milk Company and later had a 7 UP dealership covering three counties. In 1956 Don and Carol purchased The Willows, a store on Algonquin Lake, the store was owned by them until 1973. From 1973 Don farmed in the Middleville area and also worked at Michigan Cat until retirement. An avid White Sox fan Don collected baseball and sports memorabilia his entire life. He was a lifetime member of the V.F.W., the American Legion and always a marine.
Don was preceded in death by Caroline, his wife of 64 years, daughter Judy Pennington (Steve) grand daughter Jessica Merrill, his parents, sisters Evelyn Vukin, Dorothy Thompson and his brother Lee Johnson. He is survived by his sister Sally Robinson (Tom) sons Bill (Michelle), Mark (Kathy), Donald (Lisa) and daughter Janet Reil. Surviving grand children are Sarah Johnson, Becky Casarez , Sara Casarez , Phillip Johnson, Tim Johnson, Steve Johnson, Josh Reil, Adam Reil Donald Johnson, Danielle Johnson, Kimberly Johnson, Kari Johnson, Natalie Pennington, Ryan Pennington and seven great grand children.

Visitation:
Friday, November 11, 2011 from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm,
Girrbach Funeral Home
Hastings, MI

Funeral Services:
Saturday, November 12, 2011 @ 11:00 am
Girrbach Funeral Home
Pastor Gary Newton, Officiating

Interment with full military honors:
Irving Township Cemetery
Military honors provided by: American Legion Post #45 of Hastings

Memorial Contributions:
American Legion Post #45
2160 M-37 Hwy.
Hastings, MI 49058

Wounded Warriors Project
4899 Belfort Rd.
Suite #300
Jacksonville, FL 32256