Frank Edward Johnson

Frank Edward Johnson, 87, passed away Feb. 2, 2016, at home in Lawrence. He was born May 27, 1928, in Lawrence to Arba and Bertha (Steele) Johnson.

He leaves a very loving family including his wife, Lois Ardith (Arent) Johnson. They had a very happy marriage of 66 years together. He also leaves a daughter, Edith (Richard) Strong Sr., of Twin Lake, Mich.; and a son, Timothy (Rita) Johnson of San Tan Valley, Ariz. He leaves six grandchildren: Eric Kabel, Richard (Nicci) Strong Jr., Dr. Carrie (Robbie) Powell, Joseph Johnson, Jason Johnson, and twin sister Jennifer (Samuel) Wilbanks; also included in his family are ten great-grandchildren: Dayton and Jacy Strong, Ethan and Ella Fielder, Zander and Zorian Johnson, Adam Johnson, Sammuel and Seth Wilbanks and Seth's twin sister, Sarah Wilbanks.

Frank was an Eagle Scout, belonged to the Lawrence United Methodist Church, Whirlpool Old Timers Club, Management Club, Scuba Club (instructor), Lawrence American Legion and the Lawrence Senior Citizen's Club. Frank enjoyed square dancing, bowling, golf and gardening. He loved giving his veggies away. He most enjoyed working with wood, making furniture and old car replicas. This wood came from his own land. He displayed his cars several times at the Lawrence Alumni banquets. He gave a lot of his projects away to family and friends, including approximately 30 planter wagons.

Frank and his wife had fun traveling all over the country in their truck and fifth wheel, especially to Arizona for 30 years of winters. He enjoyed having Tuesday morning breakfast with friends. Frank left school to join the Army serving his country in the Signal Corps during World War II. After getting discharged, he went back to school in Benton Harbor, graduating in the class of 1951. He started working at Whirlpool in 1948 as a trucker, then went into welder maintenance and during his last 11 years was a maintenance supervisor of all the plants on the night shift, retiring after 35 years (missing only one day of work) in 1983.

He leaves one brother, Gerald Johnson of Paw Paw. Passing before him were his parents; two sisters, Lenna Peters and Genevieve Browers; four brothers: Herbert Johnson, Glenn Johnson, Richard Johnson and Robert Johnson.

The family will receive friends from 10:30-11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 8, 2016, at the Lawrence United Methodist Church followed by a celebration of life service. Frank will be laid to rest in Hamilton Cemetery. Donations may be made to your charity of choice. Those wishing to leave condolences for the family may do so at http://www.calvin-leonardfh.com.

Frank was very much loved and will be very sadly missed by both family and friends.