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Sadie Eleanor White Johnson Merchant

SADIE MERCHANT

MARQUETTE, MI – Sadie Eleanor White Johnson Merchant, age 100, of Marquette, peacefully entered eternal life Monday, December 4, 2017, at her home, in the loving, comforting care of her family and the caregivers of Lake Superior Hospice.

Born November 19, 1917, in Marquette, a daughter of Jay Earle and Barbara M. (McCombie) White, Sadie was raised in Marquette. She attended the Cherry Creek School and later the John D. Pierce School from where she graduated in 1935. In 1936, she married Lowell H. Johnson. For over 36 years, Sadie was employed by the Singer Sewing Machine Company and Singer franchise dealers as saleslady, bookkeeper, and manager. Chances are, if you purchased a Singer sewing machine between 1944 and 1979, Sadie probably sold it to you and provided lessons. She was the quintessential employee… loyal, conscientious, and courteous.. an asset to the company and to the customer. Sadie retired in 1980 and her husband, Lowell preceded her in death in 1982. In 1989, she married H. Clyde Merchant, Jr., and relocated to Baltimore, Maryland.

In her leisure, Sadie had many hobbies and special interests. She was an accomplished seamstress and enjoyed knitting, crocheting, and many other crafts. Following her retirement, she participated in many local craft shows with her two brothers and a sister. She was an avid reader and correspondent.

An active member of the First Baptist Church in Marquette, she was a member of the First Baptist Church in Essex, Maryland while residing there.

Sadie is survived by her daughter, Rose Marie (Tom) Rushton of Hibbing, MN; granddaughter, Nanette Rushton of Mankato, MN; grandson, Daniel (Marry) Rushton of Hibbing, MN; and great-grandson, Robert Rushton of Mankato, MN; great-grand- daughter, Mattilyn Rushton of Virginia, MN; sister-in-law, Lois (Dale) Bayne; and numerous nieces and nephews, among them Terry (Connie) Specker and Juanita “Bug” (Lopez) David.

In addition to her parents, Sadie was preceded in death by her husbands, Lowell Johnson and Clyde Merchant; siblings, Roland “Jolly” White, Lester White, Jack White, Clifton “Kit” White, Barbara (Harold) Specker, Ione (Claude) Hagen, Viola (Charles) Lopez, and Frank White; a brother-in-law and dear friend, Glen Johnson.

Friends may call at the First Baptist Church on Friday, December 8, beginning at 10:00 am until the time of service at 12:00 noon. Lake Superior Hospice chaplain, Barbara Tooman will officiate.

A reception will follow in the church fellowship hall. Interment will be made in the Park Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to First Baptist Church of Marquette or Habitat for Humanity.

The Swanson-Lundquist Funeral Home is serving the family, where condolences may be expressed online at swansonlundquistfuneralhome.