Name: Visitation for Donald Johnson
Start: 2017-04-17T18:00:00.000Z
End: 2017-04-17T20:00:00.000Z
Location: Estes-Leadley Funeral Home - Lansing

Donald F. Johnson

Grand Ledge

Age 93, passed away on April 4, 2017. He was born in Fort Dodge, Iowa, on March 17, 1924, to Francis and Fern (Mastellar) Johnson. His family later moved toEast Detroit, where he graduated and was a two-time state champion wrestler. Don attended Michigan State University, where he pursued a degree in Education and was a member of the wrestling team. His education was interrupted by the bombing of Pearl Harbor. He and his brother quickly decided to enlist in the military. Don transferred to Western Michigan University to attend Naval Officer training. There he met his future bride, Jean, who preceded him in death on August 11, 2007. He was deployed in the South Pacific during WWII as an Underwater Demolitions Specialist. After completing his military obligation, he returned to MSU to complete his degree. Don was named captain of the wrestling team in 1947, and went on to become an All-American in his weight class.

Don treasured his long career as a teacher, coach, and principal at Lansing Eastern High School, retiring in 1983. His devotion to education, sports, and his students resulted in a stellar career and he was honored by having the Lansing Eastern Fieldhouse named after him. He coached five State Championship teams and 53 individual State Champions while at Eastern. Don was inducted into the Eastern High School Hall of Fame, the Greater Lansing and State of Michigan Halls of Fame, and the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in Norman, OK. He was extremely proud of the high standards and academic achievements of the Eastern students.

Surviving are his 3 daughters, Susan (David) Rhinard, Cindy (Gen. Robert) Taylor, and Linda (Chuck) Schram. He also leaves behind 8 beloved grandchildren, Dr. Theodore (Rosie) Glynn, Lisa (Joseph) Thompson, Kimberly (Daniel) Snyder, Amanda (Marshall) Perkins, Nicholas Glynn, Meredith (Brian) Hawkins, Sean (Lana) Rhinard, Robert (Tonya) Rhinard, as well as 17 great-grandchildren.

The Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 18, 2017, at St. Gerard Catholic Church, 4437 W. Willow, Lansing, with the Rev. Fr. David Fons as Celebrant. The Rite of Committal will follow at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends at the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Monday, where the Scripture Service will be held at 7:30 p.m. Mr. Johnson will lie-in-state at the Church from 9:30 a.m. until service time on Tuesday. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice House of Mid-Michigan, c/o the Sparrow Foundation.

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

Published by Lansing State Journal on Apr. 9, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for Donald Johnson

Sponsored by Estes-Leadley Funeral Home - Lansing.

25 Entries

Gus Ganakas

April 18, 2017

To The Johnson Family,

I admired Don as an outstanding athlete, coach, administrator, and friend.

He positively influenced the lives of many people.

My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Mike Asumaa

April 15, 2017

I taught for Mr. Johnson at Eastern H.S. He was always open to innovation and improvements and helped his staff develop to their fullest potential.

Ed Moore

April 11, 2017

This man was a hero to many people, me included. He turned the direction of my life. I have personally thanked him, and do again. May the young people of this community, meet another hero...because they need another Don Johnson.....
Ed Moore
class of Jan 1961

Victoria Voges

April 11, 2017

He was my principal...Very nice man and always a smile... Blessings Don

Robert Dean

April 10, 2017

Don created an environment for success with his leadership as the principal of Lansing Eastern. Discipline, expectation and inspiration were all part of the culture. It created a great foundation for future success for many of us. I feel fortunate to have attended his school and to get to know him after graduation.

Mary Trudell Fransisco

April 10, 2017

Rest in peace Mr Don Johnson, a great man.
Mr Johnson remembered everyone. I waited on him while working at Sparrow health systems and as soon as he saw me he said my name and remembered all my siblings names.
Graduate of 1961

Sandy Holliday-aguirre

April 9, 2017

Just had to say a prayer for the family !

Class of 73

Emily Kress

April 9, 2017

Cindy and Bob, I'm so sorry to hear about the death of your father. My condolences. Emily and Kress ( Pastuszka)

Bobby Wilcox

April 9, 2017

Oh boy, this is a tough one. What a giant chunk of Lansing history is this great man! Honesty, integrity, promoting the best in other people, handing out tough love in a perfect way, the best ambassitor Pattengail, Eastern, and Lansing could ever dream of, and many more fine qualities. I have a hube regret that I was never able to wrestle for this man. Although a Sexton grad, I was honored and blessed to have crossed paths with him. His friendship means more to me than words can say. I am very sad over his passing. With a heavy heart I send out prayers to all of his family and for his memory.

Clyde Ethington

April 8, 2017

Rest in Peace you Ol' Frog Man! You were a champion all of your life, and I'm glad that our paths crossed because you changed my life...for the better. Thanks for choosing me to work with you at Eastern High School. From a Marine to a Frog Man, we're connected forever.

Armando Martinez

April 8, 2017

Condolences to the Johnson family. RIP Mr. Johnson.

Class of 79

Bob Forman

April 8, 2017

"Don Johnson was one of those very special people that touched the lives of others in a profound and positive manner. Generations of students at Eastern High School profited by his leadership as a coach, teacher and administrator."

April 8, 2017

I met Donald Johnson as student in his physical education classes in about 1952. I never had the privilege of getting to know him on a personal basis but always held him with the highest respect and esteem. It saddens me to hear of his passing. I know he will be missed by his many former students and teachers.

Dick Gallagher, 1954

Phillip Knapp

April 8, 2017

Rest In Peace Mr. Johnson. So many great memories of my time at Eastern (class of 71) . Such a great group of teachers, students and fantastic man at the helm to steer us on that rocky-road to adulthood.

40 th Class Reunion

Verla JeanHoisington Lamb

April 7, 2017

Mr. Johnson, I must say that you made a great and lasting impression on me during my high school years, thank you for that. Your smile was infectious and unforgettable. Your memory I am sure is in the hearts of the class of 1972. Proud to be one of your Lansing Easter Quakers.

Bruce Merritt

April 7, 2017

R.I.P. Mr. Johnson, I am pretty sure you and Hobe are talking wrestling and football again up in heaven. You guys were the best I ever met ! With love, Bruce Merritt & family.

Diane Ketcheson-Fox

April 7, 2017

RIP Mr Johnson, you put in one hell of a shift.

Lee Chepy

April 7, 2017

So sorry to hear about the passing of Don Johnson. As a student at Eastern, I became friends with him and spent many hours talking sports with him. He was larger than life and made the difficult job of running Pattengill and Eastern seem easy! He could be tough when he needed to be, but nobody loved Eastern High more than Don. The school was not the same when he retired! My condolences to his family, he will be missed!

Amy Moini

April 7, 2017

It is with great sadness, I say goodbye to Mr. Don Johnson, affectionately "Don". You were one of the great ones for certain! I graduated EHS in 1982, and Don was always in the halls, instead of behind a desk. He was a mentor, counselor, coach, sponsor, educator and more! He never gave up on his kids and was simply an inspiration to me and many others. I felt as close to him as I did my own father. As part of the Greatest Generation, I honor you Mr. Don Johnson! You were a scholar and a friend. God bless you Don, and prayers to his family.

Amy Moini (Chepy)

April 7, 2017

Mr. Johnson will always have a special place in my heart as he hired me many years ago to teach at Pattengill, beginning my long teaching career. He was a great administrator and a very kind person. I consider myself lucky to have worked with him. We express our sincere condolences to his family.

Victoria Kamar Olivett

April 7, 2017

Mr. Johnson was a wonderful man and a terrific Principal. He was the leader of the two best schools in Lansing, Pattengill and Eastern. As a great educator and coach he inspired all of us. He will be missed for sure. Rest in Peice Mr. Johnson.

Dan Olivett

Karen (Taylor) Thompson

April 7, 2017

Condolences to the family of a wonderful principal. EHS Class of 1979.

JACK OLSON

April 7, 2017

I first met Don in April of 1969. I was a student teacher for Bill Allen. On my second day at Eastern, while walking down a hallway clip board in hand, stop watch and whistle around my neck, a MSU baseball hat on my head, I was stopped by this person I didn't know who inquired as to who I was. After I identified myself, he identified himself as Mr. Johnson the principal at Eastern. With a stern look Mr. Johnson told me to remove my hat and counseled "We don't wear hats in my building." At that moment that look told me I may have just flunked student teaching on my second day.

Every time Don and i have gotten together, we have a good laugh about that special time. All Good. Don will be missed by his family and by his many friends; those he has touched are better people today because of his positive influence. I feel fortunate to have known Don and to have been his friend.

Jack Olson
Traverse City, Michigan

Becky Rizer

April 6, 2017

Mr. Johnson was my high school principal. He was always fair and personable. He made me strive to be the best I could, responsible for my actions and to always be nonjudgmental and fair. I so admired him and will always be grateful for his positive impact on not only me but all of his students. He will be missed but not forgotten.

Lee Porter

April 6, 2017

I graduated from Lansing Eastern in 1971,while a student st Eastern I developed a great relationship with Mr. Johnson, although very stern, he was always fair and treated us with respect.
In 2009, I had the opportunity to interact with Mr.Johnson at the Michigan Athletic Club, after a couple of months of seeing him there, he told me considering I had graduated so long ago, I should address him as Don, as I stood there with my own son, I responded no sir you will always be Mr. Johnson.

Lee Porter- Class of 1971

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