Shawano Leader
Friday, June 13, 2008

George Johnson

George F. “Jiggidy George” Johnson, age 72, of the Town of Red Springs, passed away at his home on Wednesday, June 11, 2008, following a lengthy illness.

George was born on Sept. 17, 1935, in the Town of Red Springs; a son of Virginia (Mohawk) Johnson and the late Leonard Johnson Sr. He attended the Bowler schools and later moved to Madison. He later graduated from the Marathon County Extension Police Academy. In 1960 he was united in marriage to the former Christine Waupoose in the Town of Red Springs. George had been employed at Menominee Tribal Enterprises and later became a police officer. He worked in that capacity for Menominee Tribal Law Enforcement, the Shawano County Sheriff’s Dept. and was the very first police officer for the Stockbridge-Munsee Community. He retired after 25 years in law enforcement.

“Jiggidy” loved to dance; he played guitar and sang with various entertainment groups including the Tall Timber Boys and other local groups. He was the renown leader of Georgey J and the Jayhawkers. He even did a guest appearance on the Jerry Lewis Telethon. Following his retirement he continued to sing and play. He loved cutting firewood. He had been a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church and was confirmed on the Stockbridge Reservation.

Survivors include: his mother, Virginia Johnson of Bowler; his caregiver, Betty Jo Feather; three sons, Kevin (Sandy) Johnson and Greg (Carol Jean) Johnson, both of Green Bay, Robert (special friend, Kathy Boyd) Johnson of Neopit; three daughters, Georgia (Brian) Neconish of Shawano, Melodie (Sam Pamonicutt) Johnson of Green Bay, Michelle (Ken Ebert) Johnson of Gresham; 32 grandchildren; three sisters, Verna Johnson-Miller and Bonnie (Leslie) Slater, both of Bowler, Mary Ann Cotten of Gresham; one brother, Leonard Jr. (Roxanne) Johnson of Wisconsin Dells. He was preceded in death by: two sons, George in infancy, Leonard Johnson; one brother-in-law, Arvid “BABE” Miller; two step-sons, Darwin and Mike King.

Funeral services for George will be held today at 10 a.m. at the Lutheran Church of the Wilderness with Pastor Melinda Shriner officiating. Interment will be in the Stockbridge Indian Burial Grounds. Relatives and friends may call at the church today from 9 a.m. until the hour of service. Schroeder-Mickelson Funeral Service of Shawano is assisting the family.

www.schroedermickelsonfuneralservice.com