ARDITH J. JOHNSON

JOHNSON, ARDITH J.

Ardith J. Johnson passed away peacefully on February 7th, 2012 at Haven Hospice In Gainesville, after a long battle with a blood disease called Myelodysplastic syndrome. She was born In Grand Rapids Michigan to Anthony and Margaret Erhardt In July 1931. Ardith Jeanne was the oldest of five children. Her siblings include three brothers, Edwin, Richard and Robert and a sister Margaret, who all still reside in Michigan except Ed whose home Is now in New Mexico. Ardith graduated from Catholic Central High School in Grand Rapids in 1949 and worked for an insurance agency several years after graduation. She met her husband Bob, (Robert W. Johnson) shortly after graduation and they married in 1955 after Bob returned from military service. Bob and Ardith have three children, Dennis, Patricia and Barbara. Dennis and his family (wife Andrea, son Zachary and daughter Rachel) reside in Denver Colorado. Pattie lives in McAllen, Texas and Barbara and her family, (husband William and daughters Emily and Sarah) reside in Tampa. Ardith and Bob lived in Grand Rapids Michigan after they were married for several years, then moved to Marquette, then to Lansing following Bob's career with the USDA Soil Conservation Service. The family was avid Michigan State University fans while Bob was working in East Lansing and enjoyed all the Spartan sporting events. In 1971, the family moved to Gainesville, Florida, also following a career move for Bob and became Gators. Ardith chose to be a stay at home mom while the children were growing up and participated in all the schools' parent activities. All the children attended school in Gainesville and graduated from Buchholz High School and later the University of Florida. Ardith worked for a number of years in retail sales in Gainesville before her retirement Ardith loved to cook, work in her garden and walk with friends for exercise and conversation. She was an active member of Queen of Peace Catholic Church and was a regular at the eight o'clock mass.

A Memorial Mass will be held at Queen of Peace Catholic Church on Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. with Father Jeff McGowan officiating. Interment will follow in Queen of Peace Columbarium.

Arrangements are under the care of WILLIAMS-THOMAS WESTAREA, 823 NW 143rd Street. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Gainesville. They also wish to thank the staff at Haven-Hospice for their kind and dedicated assistance.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

WILLIAMS-THOMAS WESTAREA

(352) 376-7556