Russell A. Johnson's Obituary
Mr. Russell A. Johnson, age 96, of Spring Lake passed away Tuesday, April 21, 2015 at Heartwood Lodge. He was born October 14, 1918 to Andrew and Rose Johnson in Minneapolis, MN. He married Virginia Donner at St. Mary’s Catholic Church on February 15, 1947 and she preceded him in death on March 14, 2009.
Russell served his country during WWII in the US Army from February 1941 to September 1945. He served in the US First Armored Division making the North African 1942 invasions of Algeria and Tunisia. He was a POW for 32 months held by the Germans and Russians. Russell was employed as a manufacturing engineer at Bastian Blessing Co. in Grand Haven where he was known as Colonel Klink, retiring in 1985. He was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and a life member of the Charles A. Conklin American Legion Post # 28. Russell was a licensed Amateur Radio Operator, W8VLE since 1936 and a member of the American Radio League and the Radio Amateur Radio Satellite Corp.
He is survived by five children: Barbara (Tom) King of Marion, Iowa, Anne (Dave) Reeb of Fenton, MO., Larry “Rock” (Pam) Johnson, Tom Johnson of Grand Haven, and Frank (Lisa) Johnson of Ann Arbor; ten grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two sons, Patrick and Jeffery; and brothers, Robert, Wesley and Richard Johnson.
A memorial mass will be held 11:00 AM Saturday, April 25, 2015 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church with Rev. Father David Gross officiating. Visitation will be held 5-8 PM Friday, April 24, at VanZantwick Bartels Kammeraad Funeral Home in Spring Lake. Military honors will be given by the Charles A. Conklin American Legion Post #28 honor guard. Interment will take place in Spring Lake Township Cemetery. Memorial contributions in memory of Russell may be given to the Mary, Seat of Wisdom Capital Stewardship Campaign St. Mary's Catholic Church. Please sign the family’s online guestbook at www.vbkfuneralhome.com.
The family is being served by VanZantwick Bartels Kammeraad Funeral Home of Spring Lake.
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