John E. Johnson

John was born in Janesville, WI on October 10, 1926, to John Eskil and Ethel (Olson) Johnson, Sr. His father worked for General Motors and there were several moves after that.

John’s high school years were spent at Shattuck Military School and then Redford High School in Detroit, MI, from which he graduated in 1945. He attended Xavier University and then Northern Michigan University until 1948 and then joined the United States Army, receiving an honorable discharge and returning to NMU and receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in education in 1962 and a Master’s degree in education in 1968.

John taught at North Central Schools in Menominee County for 30 years and upon retiring was a volunteer teacher at Whitman and Sandy Knoll Schools. He was also a volunteer at Norlite Nursing Center, RSVP and other places where he could be of help.

John was a convert to the Catholic faith in 1954, and deeply valued attendance at daily mass and other devotional practices including the rosary and the Stations of the Cross. He distributed communion at Norlite Nursing Center and was a Third Degree member of the Knights of Columbus.

John joined Alcoholics Anonymous in 1961, faithfully attending meetings and sponsoring others on their journey through sobriety. We are told he was the oldest member of AA in the Upper Peninsula with the longest time in sobriety of 59 years. For all of that time he served in the AA ministry at the prison.

John is survived by his sisters, Ellen Ayers and Mary Anne (Jack) Kublin; brother, Peter Johnson; nieces, Julie Bennet, Jodi Schubiner, Jamie Warth and Theresa (Donald) Crawley; nephews, James (Zara) Kublin, George (Wendy) Kublin and Gregory (Cheryl) Kublin; great nieces and nephews, August, Henno, Delphine and Abraham Kublin, Graham, Xavier and Nigel Crawley, Josh Kublin, Allison and Leeanna Kublin, Brandon and Lisa Bennett, Sophie Warth, Ben, Emily and Sam Walfish; close friends, Brian and Stuart; and many others in the AA community.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Ethel; brother, Eugene; sister, Nancy Lou; and brother-in-law, Ruston Ayers.

His kindnesses to others were too many to mention, and the gentle and competent care he received in the hospital, D.J. Jacobetti Veteran’s Facility and by Lake Superior Life Care & Hospice is greatly appreciated by his family and friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, March 16 that 10:30 a.m. at St. Peter Cathedral with the Rev. Msgr. Michael Steber officiating. The Johnson family will greet relatives and friends beginning at 9:15 a.m. in the Bishop’s Room until the time of the Mass. Burial will take place in the Park Cemetery in July.

Those wishing to make an expression of sympathy are kindly asked to consider Legacy of Faith c/o the Diocese of Marquette, 1004 Harbor Hills Drive, Marquette, MI 49855.

The Canale-Tonella Funeral Home is assisting the Johnson family where memories may be shared at canalefuneral.com.