Wayne Johnson, 88

Wayne Elliot Johnson, age 88, of rural Three Rivers, died Friday, Aug. 1, 2014 at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo. He was born in Detroit, MI on May 15, 1926 the son of Anthony and Gladys (Burlingame) Johnson. After the family moved north, Wayne worked at a dairy farm, and for several years for the Lapeer County Road Commission. He was married to Rosemary Schlaud on May 7, 1956 in Imlay City. They moved to Battle Creek in 1959 and to the Vicksburg-Three Rivers area in 1974. Wayne worked as a fireman at the Battle Creek Sanitarium and the Kalamazoo State Hospital until his retirement. He enjoyed woodworking, lawn care and travel.

Wayne is survived by eleven children, Annmarie Johnson of Kalamazoo, Gregory Johnson of Grand Canyon, AZ, Brian (Teresa) Johnson of Three Rivers, Michele Johnson of Vicksburg, Jeff (Penny) Johnson of Elkhart, Krista Van Ostran of Vicksburg, Tim Johnson of Vicksburg, Kevin (Pam) Johnson of Three Rivers, Denise Johnson of Cleveland, Amy (Albert) Imoe of Valiant, OK, and Jennifer (Jon) Persson of Muskegon; twenty seven grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; three siblings, Shirley Starr, Lorraine Spanke, and Ted (Sally) Johnson all of Lapeer. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Rosemary; son, Johnny Johnson; and two grandsons, Andrew Imoe and Jason Van Ostran.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the Eickhoff Funeral Home in Mendon and where the Rosary will be recited at 8 p.m. The funeral mass will be 11 a.m. Tuesday Aug. 5, 2014 at St. Edward Catholic Church in Mendon followed by burial in St. Edward Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to either St. Edward Catholic Church, 325 W. State St., Mendon, MI 49072 or to St. Labre Indian School of Ashland, MT 59004. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.eickhofffuneralhome.com