George’s life began when he was born to Myrtie (Wieland) and Spenor Johnson on a cold day, January 6, 1930, making his brother Howard happy. At that time, they lived on a farm they rented in Lake Odessa. When Howard was seven years old, George lost his brother in a farming accident.
When George was five, they purchased the farm George and Lucille now own on Freeport Ave. George gained a sister Evelyn when he was four years old and another sister Doris when he was eight. George went to school in the Logan School (where Calvary Grace Brethren Church now resides); later going to Lowell High School where he graduated in 1947.
George was really helping his Dad, who was ill a great time then. He always appreciated his Uncle Erin Johnson, who had him work along with him to earn some of his graduating expenses. George was drafted into the Army and was mustered out with an honorable discharge, coming home to farm again with his father.
In 1957, he met and married Lucille Christiansen. Nine years, eleven months, and thirteen days later Erin Charles Johnson was born. One year, five months, and eighteen days later Jami Ann was born.
What a joy these children were to their parents. George worked at Mitchell Bentley Co. in Ionia until it closed. He went to draw unemployment and Terry Doyle asked if he wouldn’t like to apply for state employment.
He filled out the forms and sent them in several times until he was asked to come in for an interview. Meanwhile, he worked at building houses in Lansing, Grand Rapids, and Canadian Lakes where his employer for some reason lost his driver’s license, so he flew his airplane up there and George had to pick him up from the airport. This employer was a good guy and later built our new home.
George finally got an interview with the State Unemployment Security Commission at Allegan. Late, he transferred to Hastings, and then to Sparta, and Filly to Ionia, where he worked until his retirement. George was preceded in death by his brother Howard Johnson, his father Spenor Johnson, his mother Myrtie Wieland Johnson, and his son Erin Charles Johnson.
George lived all but five years on the family farm, farming most of his adult years, retiring from farming in 2009 due to health issues. He is survived by his wife Lucille, daughter Jami (Todd) Voshell of Clarksville and daughter-in-law Debra (Mike) Huntley of Hastings. Grandchildren: Gordan, Henry, Lydia, and Samantha Voshell; A.J., Logan, Emma, and Daniel Huntley.
Sister: Evelyn Knaak of Grand Rapids and Doris Feasal of Sunfield; four sisters-in-laws and one brother-in-law from Lucille’s side; several cousins and many nieces and nephews. Visitation for family and friends will be held on Wednesday, May 30, 2018 from 2:00 – 4:00 pm and 6:00 – 8:00 pm at Koops Funeral Chapel. Funeral Services for George will be on Thursday, May 31, 2018 at 11:00 am at Calvary Grace Brethren Church with burial immediately following at Bowne Mennonite Cemetery.
In Lieu of flowers memorials in George’s name can be given to Calvary Grace Brethren to be used for a special project.
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