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Donald John Johnson

1928 - 2019

Donald John Johnson obituary, 1928-2019, Mount Pleasant, MI

BORN

1928

DIED

2019

Donald Johnson Obituary

age 91, of Mt. Pleasant, passed away Saturday, March 16, 2019, at Mercy Hospital in Muskegon. A Memorial Service will take place Thursday, March 21, 2019, 12 noon at First United Methodist Church in Mt. Pleasant with Pastors Diane Gordon and Ron Thompson officiating. The family will receive friends on Thursday beginning at 10 a.m. until the time of the service. A luncheon will immediately follow in the fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church or UNICEF. Don was born on March 4, 1928, in Manistee, the first born son of John and Rose (Holmgren) Johnson. He helped his parents raise a large family of 10 children. As a young man he grew to become 6 feet 7 inches tall and became involved in sports in his hometown of Ludington, playing football and basketball while working a number of jobs during his youth. He went on to graduate from Ludington High School in 1946 and served in the U. S. Army from 1946-1948 in post-World War II Germany. He married Paula Jean Roberts in 1948 and moved to Big Rapids earning his Bachelor’s Degree from Ferris State University in 1953 where he played basketball for four years. Paula and Don began raising their three children in Big Rapids and he started his 40 year career at MichCon Gas Company. During that time he also helped substitute for his best friend, delivering milk in the very early morning hours. That work ethic and his love of sports were passed on to his children, playing with them and coaching his sons little league baseball teams. In his “spare time” he sang in the Vacationland Chorus. In 1961 Don was promoted and moved his family to Mt. Pleasant where he became active in many organizations in the community as past president of Isabella County United Way, Lions Club, Woodland Hospice, and the Mt. Pleasant Chamber of Commerce. He was an active member of First United Methodist Church of Mt. Pleasant for 58 years, becoming a Stevens Minister. He also volunteered as a driver for Meals on Wheels for over 20 years. He eventually retired from Mich Con after 40 years as the manager of the Mt. Pleasant office after helping to expand natural gas service to much of outstate Michigan. He gave a lot to the community and his job, but the most to his immediate and large extended family, and always made those who loved him feel special. He enjoyed playing bridge, golfing and competitive games with friends and family. He became a member of a partnership in a cabin in the Manistee National Forest called the “Gaslite Lodge” in 1962 where he and Paula were able to enjoy and share with friends and family alike. He also assisted his son Jon start his successful apparel business in his and Paula’s garage and helped his son Dave and daughter Leigh pursue their college educations. Don is survived by his wife, Paula Johnson of over 70 years; his children: David (Elizabeth) Johnson of Spring Lake, Jon (Kathleen) Johnson of Grand Haven, and Leigh (Stephan) Ostrander of Minneapolis; grandchildren Amanda (Darren) Breen of Grand Haven, Jessi Johnson (Dorota, Kelly) of Philadelphia, Jillian (Fineias) Barbutti of Berkley, Kelly Johnson (Joe Aue) of Honor, Benjamin Ostrander and Lisa Ostrander of Salt Lake City; 6 great-grandchildren; Abiah, Anne, Ellie, Grant Barbutti; Anwen, Karys Breen; sister Sandra (Kenneth) Kolb of Montague, sister –in-law Beverly(Norm) Weitkum of Racine Wisconsin, sister –in- law Eunice Johnson of Grand Haven,; several nieces and nephews Don was preceded in death by his parents; 5 brothers; 3 sisters, and a close cousin. You may view Don’s obituary online and send a condolence to the family at

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Morning Sun from Mar. 17 to Mar. 18, 2019.

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Sue and Bruce Dehn

March 21, 2019

Paula.. So sorry for your loss. You & Don have always been special friends to us. We understand how Fran & Doug loved you both so much. Prayers to you and your family.

March 21, 2019

DAVE & JON , WE WERE SADDENED TO HERE ABOUT YOUR FATHERS PASSING. ROB PAM LONG

Susan Pickens

March 20, 2019

It was an honor to help take care of Don at Dr. Simmons office. He was very kind and had a great sense of humor. I hope that Paula and his family will be able to feel God's peace, comfort, and love knowing that their loved one now walks with the angels.

Michael Hobson

March 19, 2019

My deepest sympathies to the Johnson family. Don and Paula were two of my mother's favorite friends. Their support and long time friendship before and after my father's passing was a true blessing and comfort to her.

Gregg and Kristin Ostrander

March 19, 2019

Paula and family...Don was a wonderful man....full of laughter, humility and a big heart. He will be missed. We are privileged to have known him and to be a part of his extended family. We have all of you in our prayers. Enjoy the celebration of his life! Love the Ostrander's

Bill Hood

March 19, 2019

He was a wonderful man, husband and father. I will remember him best for his great sense of humor. It was a life well-lived.

Patti Hitch

March 19, 2019

So glad Don and that milkman became best buddies all those years ago! They've got a jump on the rest of us in eternity. Gonna be a blast!! The Johnsons and the Kelsches - Truly FOREVER Friends! Thank YOU Jesus! Love, The Milkman's Daughter

Martha L Smith

March 18, 2019

A tall man in so many waysphysically yes but also in spirit, in sharing his talents, in sharing his time, in caring for others, in living life fully.

Martha L Smith

John Sanders

March 18, 2019

Sincere condolences to the entire family from an old South Drive neighbor. He was a really nice man with an unmistakable, and unforgettable, big laugh...

Kevin kelsch

March 18, 2019

So sorry to hear of Don's passing may he rest easy in heaven love and prayers to the family
The kelsch family

March 18, 2019

Donnybrook will be missed by all the Deibel's, to whom he was a great friend and neighbor for many years. Love and prayers to Paula and family.

Paul & Sharon Vos

March 18, 2019

So very sad to have lost this earthly angel, sweet Uncle Don. Heaven is that much brighter now. So blessed to have many happy memories to reflect upon. Loving thoughts to Aunt Paula and the entire family.

Betty Assmann

March 18, 2019

My sincere sympathy to Paula and family.

Edna Mongeau

March 18, 2019

Paula and family I'm so sorry to hear about Don. He was a great man and treated me so good when I worked for him. He was a great father figure to me. He will be missed in this community. Prayers for you and your family.

viv chamichian

March 17, 2019

Paula and family, I'm so saddened by this news. Don was such a sweet person; I wish I'd had a chance to get to know him better. My heart goes out to you.

Patricia McBride

March 17, 2019

So sorry to hear of Don's passing. I miss serving communion to him even after you moved. Prays for Paula and the family.

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Memorial Events
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Mar

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Visitation

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First United Methodist Church

Mt. Pleasant, MI

Mar

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Memorial service

12:00 p.m.

First United Methodist Church

Mt. Pleasant, MI

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