Roger E. Johnson

Gladstone, MI
Roger E. Johnson, age 90, of Gladstone passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 1, 2016 at the St. Francis Hospital with his family by his side.

Roger was born September 21, 1925 in Escanaba, the son of Edwin and Beda (Swanson) Johnson. He was raised in Gladstone and graduated from the Gladstone High School in 1944. Following high school, Roger served his country proudly in the United States Army in the 7th Infantry in Japan and the Philippines. On October 1, 1955 he was united in marriage to Carol Peltier at St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Escanaba. Roger worked as a machine operator for the Harnischfeger Corporation for 25 years. He was an avid golfer and was a member of the Gladstone Golf Course and the Irish Oaks Golf Course. He was also a member of the Gladstone American Legion August Mattson Post 71, the DAV and the VFW and participated in the UP Honor Flight to Washington D.C. in 2013. He enjoyed woodworking, ice fishing and his morning coffee clutch with his brothers and friends at the Dew Drop and McDonald’s.

Roger is survived by his wife, Carol of Gladstone, his son, Michael (Kate) Johnson of Kaukauna, WI; his daughters, Patti (Gary) Lippold of Rapid River, Lynne (Gerald) Hilling of Rock, Karen (Bill) DeMay of Gladstone and Lori (MIchael) Rymkos of Escanaba; 12 grandchildren, Douglas, Joseph (Shellby) and Steven Lippold, Nick and Matt (Linda) Hilling, Hayley and Paul DeMay, Michael Jr., Stacey and Ashton Rymkos and Andy and Alex (Nick) Schmalz;, 8 great grandchildren; two brothers, David “Bucko” and James (Iris) Johnson, both of Gladstone, sister-in-law, Ida Johnson of Escanaba, numerous nieces and nephews and a good friend, Dennis Bratonia of Gladstone.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Dolly (Joe) Thibeault, his brothers, Mason and Fred (Vernice) Johnson and a grandson, Mitchell Hilling.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, May 4 from 2:00 PM to 3:45 PM at the Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone. Military Honors will be presented at 3:45 PM by the Gladstone American Legion August Mattson Post 71. Funeral services will follow at 4:00 PM with Rev. Fr. Arnold Grambow officiating. A luncheon will be served in the fellowship hall at All Saints Catholic Church. Roger will be laid to rest in the Fernwood Cemetery in Gladstone.