Joe Johnson Sr.

March 30, 1931 - February 25, 2019

In the early morning of February 25, 2019, it pleased our Heavenly Father to take away from us our dear and beloved father, grandfather and uncle, the Illustrious Joe Johnson Sr. He was surrounded by his loving family as he transitioned on the birthday of his beloved wife, Dasie Mae Johnson. What a birthday present for her. He was 87 years and 11 months old. We silently resign ourselves in the knowledge that God never makes a mistake. We are grateful for all the memories we had with him and hold them with esteem. We are not mourning without hope, we rejoice in the knowledge that we will meet again one day. Illustrious Joe Johnson Sr. was born March 30, 1931 to Frank and Bertha (Gooden) Johnson in Wabash, Arkansas. He was raised in Wabash as well as Chicago, IL. At the age of 19, he married his childhood friend and sweetheart, Dasie Mae Stormer on November 25, 1950 in Wabash, a marriage of almost 60 years. Soon after having their first child, Dorothy, he was drafted into the Army. Illustrious Joe was a proud military man working in the nuclear field and showed it by giving 21 years of his life to the service. He achieved many recognitions while serving around the world. He also served during the Korean Crisis and the Viet Nam Conflict. He retired from the Army September 1974. With his nuclear background he was able to get a job in 1974 at the Cook Nuclear Plant in Bridgeman. There, he earned awards before retiring in September 1991. He was also active with the Wilcox Eastman Salinas Post 160 of the American Legion where he once again earned certificates. Once he was retired, Illustrious Joe decided to start gardening along with his son Bernard. He took pride in his garden and often gave away more than he kept to family and friends. Illustrious Joe Johnson gave his life to Christ at an early age at the Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church in Wabash, Arkansas. In 1974 under the leadership of Rev. Henry Bland he joined New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church where several of his family members attended. There he became a deacon, chairman of the deacon board, trustee, Sunday School Superintendent and Bible Study teacher and attending many Chain Lake meetings and conventions. In addition, he was active in the Deacon’s Laymen Organization until his health started failing. For 29 years, Illustrious Joe Johnson Sr. was a member of J. W. Hood #043 Lodge of Ralph Bunche Grand Lodge of the International Free & Accepted Modern Masons. He loved his Masonic organization. He attained many awards and was a 33rd degree. Once again, he was an active member until his health started failing. Illustrious Joe leaves to mourn: daughters; Dorothy Coates & Marilyn Johnson of Bangor, MI, Cynthia Johnson of Kalamazoo, MI, Barbara Johnson of Otsego, MI and Suzanne (Rick) Day of Yuma, WA. sons; Joe (Duffy) Johnson Jr. of Benton Harbor, MI, Carl Johnson of Muskegon, MI, Raymond Johnson of St. Louis, MO, Bernard (Terica) Johnson of Bangor, MI, Kenneth (Debbie) Johnson of Allegan, MI, Timothy (Angie) Johnson of Kalamazoo, MI and step-son; Dusty Stormer of Cleveland, OH. 30 grandchildren, 44 great-grandchildren and 9 great-great-grandchildren. Two brothers-in-law; JB (Brenda) Stormer of Bedford Hts., OH and Theodis Stormer of Bangor, MI. Sisters-in-law; Ora Lee Stormer, MS and Ann Johnson, IN. Many nieces and nephews including his specials Dolores Johnson of Port Huron, MI, Annie B Dukes of Chicago, IL and Willie Houston of Chicago, IL and cousins. He was preceded in death along with his wife and parents: grandson; Bobby Johnson and great-granddaughter; Kehlani Jonae Grace. brothers Frank, Eddie, Cleven and Edward Johnson. sisters Nesie Wright, Edna Dukes and Lillie B Nichols. sisters-in-law; Selener Stormer, Susie Mae Stormer, brothers-in-law; Johnny, Henry, Joe Sr., Duster, Gus, Jamie, Aaron, and Willie D. and son-in-law; Willie Albert Coates Visitation will be held Saturday, March 9 at the New Jerusalem Baptist Church, Bangor, from 11-1 where the service will follow at 1 PM. Military honors will be held at 3:30 at Monks Cemetery, Geneva Township. Arrangements entrusted to the Bangor Chapel, D. L. Miller Funeral Home. www.dlmillerfuneralhome.com.