JOHNSON, Donald A.
Age 82
Paw Paw
Don passed away Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2009 at his home. He was born December 7, 1926 in Minneapolis, MN the son of late Samuel A. and Augusta M. Johnson. Don was a veteran of World War II serving in the U.S. Navy. He entered and was a graduate of the General Motors Institute. He was a Sales Engineer for the Amoco Oil Company until his retirement in 1985. Don was a former member of the Paw Paw School Board, the Van Buren Youth Camp Board and the Paw Paw Township Board of Appeals. He was also a long time member of St. Marks Episcopal Church and served on the Vestry as both Junior and Senior Warden. In addition, he chaired the first capital campaign drive for the new church building. His hobbies included golf, playing the organ and stained glass work. He made a custom stained glass window that has been installed at the new St. Marks Church. On August 24, 1973 in St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Kalamazoo, Don was united in marriage to Barbara H. Wagner who survives. Also surviving are his sons, Rick, Russell (married to Lisa Marie), Randall (married to Sandy), and Roland (married to Peggy); grandchildren, Jason (and spouse Tasha), Genie Smith (and spouse Andy), Kelly, Jeff (and spouse Brianne), Kevin, and Donald; step grandchildren, Nickolas Stevens and Heather Cook. Don had three great grandchildren, Evelyn Smith, Harper, and Koltan Johnson. He was the youngest of six children, survived by his sister, Laila Rakow of Rockford, IL. He was preceded in death by his brother, John and sisters, Evelyn Newstom, Alpha Scriba, and Vivian MacKinlay. He is also survived by sisters-in-law, Beverly Johnson, Betty Magyar, Rosalind Wagner, and Mary Wagner; many nieces, nephews and grand nieces and nephews. Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held at the Adams Funeral Home, Paw Paw on Friday (10/16) from 4-7 PM. A memorial service will be held Saturday, (10/17) 11:00 AM at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Paw Paw with the Rev. Rebecca Crise officiating. Inurnment of cremain will be in St. Mark's Columbarium. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice of Southwest Michigan or St. Mark's Episcopal Church. Share a memory or condolence on line at: www.timeformemory.com/adams
Published in Kalamazoo Gazette from October 11 to October 14, 2009
(Posted by a VOLUNTEER-NO family connection)