Richard W. Johnson

Richard Wiley Johnson, age 92, of 3153 US Hwy 2 & 41 in Bark River, MI, passed away Thursday, July 11, 2019 at his son’s home in Oro Valley, AZ. He was born on July 15, 1926 in Rockford, IL, the son of Frank and Ella (Dahlstrom) Johnson. At a young age, Richard’s family moved to Whitney, MI and later was a 1944 graduate of Bark River High School. He was drafted into the U.S. Navy to serve his country during WWII until he was honorably discharged. Richard married the former Esther Klein on October 26, 1957 and she preceded him in death on May 6, 2011. Together, the couple shared 53 years of marriage and raised 1 son, Mark. Richard was employed as a fuel handler for the U.P. Power Company until his retirement in 1991. He enjoyed the outdoors – especially hunting and golfing, traveling to Arizona, and watching his grandchildren. Richard was a member of the Highland Golf Club and St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hyde.

Richard W. Johnson is survived by his son, Mark (Linda) Johnson of Oro Valley, AZ; 2 grandchildren, Nicole (Skylor) Spiguzza, and Jessica (Matthew) Goldie; 1 great-granddaughter, Lyla Spiguzza; 1 brother, Rodger Johnson of Marquette, MI; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents and his wife, Richard was preceded in death by his great-granddaughter, Lily Spiguzza; and 2 brothers, Frank Johnson, and David Johnson.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., Friday, July 19, 2019 at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hyde. Funeral services celebrating the life of Richard will follow at 11:00 a.m., Friday with Rev. Ronald Zindler officiating. A luncheon will be served at the conclusion of the services in the church fellowship hall. Burial and Military Honors by the Bark River American Legion Post 438 will take place at 1:30 p.m., Friday, in West Ford River Cemetery. 

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