Michael Johnson
December 1, 1941- January 10, 2021
MOLINE-Michael Allyn Johnson, 79, of Moline, passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday, January 10, 2021, after a year-long battle with cancer. He said that the Lord had a plan for him and this was just the beginning.
Visitation will be Wednesday, January 13 from 3:30 to 5:30 pm at the Rafferty Funeral Home, 2111-1st St A, Moline. Masks and social distancing will be required at visitation. The funeral will be private due to Covid restrictions. Burial will be at Moline Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Lutheran Church, Moline and Heritage Church, Rock Island.
Mike was born December 1, 1941 in Moline, the son of Carl A. and Ethel M. (Burgstrom) Johnson. He married Marie Hardi Rapier on February 16, 1980 in Moline.
Mike will be remembered as a kind and generous son, brother, husband, father, step-father, grandfather (Poppy), advisor, and friend to many. He was a proud 1959 graduate of Moline High School and went on to attend Augustana College. After Augustana, Mike worked at Farmall for five years. In 1964, he began his 53 year career in the insurance industry, where he helped many clients with financial planning, insurance and investments. He started at State Mutual of America. He also worked with Briggs and Vize Real Estate Insurance and Securities, The Johnson Agency, and Lohman Companies. He became an independent insurance agent in 1992, working with Mark Thompson agency. Mike retired in 2020. In addition to being in the insurance business, he was able to fulfill his dream of owning a working farm for a short time in the 1970's.
Mike was a member of First Lutheran Church, Moline and attended Heritage Church, Rock Island. He was President of Butterworth Condominium Association for the past eight years, where he took pride in helping keep the building and grounds in tip-top shape. He was a member of Independent Insurance Agents Association, NAIFA, and FINRA, Moline Jaycee's, Miss Moline Pageant, Moline Elks Club, Viking Club, Noon Kiwanis, and supported the Boy Scouts of America. He also enjoyed being on the MHS class of 1959 reunion committee for many years. Mike's pride in the city of Moline was shown by attending council meetings and running for Moline Alderman in 1990. He was also a volunteer gardener on the Ben Butterworth Parkway, where he cared for a section of the riverfront path. His love and devotion to his family, friends and community were evident every day of his life.
Mike enjoyed most summers at Berry Lake, Wisconsin, and was an active member of the Berry Lake Homeowners Association - working alongside community members and the DNR on lake improvements. He was always busy fixing something or working in the yard (or on the roof) and could be found with a paintbrush, rake or leaf blower in his hand most of the day. By mid-day, he would switch gears to pilot the pontoon or take his grandchildren tubing. Many evenings were filled with playing cards, laughter and campfires.
He was a kind and loving partner to his surviving wife, Marie; children, Matthew (Frances) Johnson, Geneseo, Amy (Michael) Owens, Moline, and Joseph Johnson, East Moline; stepchildren, Janelle (Sanjay) Arora, Northbrook, IL, Michael (Abby) Rapier, Franklin, TN; grandchildren, Nathaniel, Kennedy, Drew, Mitchell, Taylor, Sonia, Kirinna, Sydney, Lauren, Elise; sister, Barbara (Duane) Grenier, Iowa City and brother, Robert (Mary) Johnson, Hendersonville, TN. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Gary and Vernon.
Condolences may be left at www.RaffertyFunerals.com
