From Cambridgeshire, England to the US

1. JOSEPH¹ JOHNSON^1,2,3 died Unknown. He married ELIZABETH MERRILL^4,5 September 04, 1804 in Littleport, Cambridge, England⁵. She died Unknown.

Child of JOSEPH JOHNSON and ELIZABETH MERRILL is:

2. ROBERT MERRILL² JOHNSON (JOSEPH¹) was born December 18, 1810 in Cambridgeshire, England, and died May 29, 1884 in Flowerfield, Saint Joseph, Michigan. He married SUSANNA CLARK September 15, 1828 in Cambridgeshire, England. She was born 1811, and died September 22, 1848 in Cambridgeshire, England.

Notes for ROBERT MERRILL JOHNSON:

I have a picture of Robert Johnson's headstone from the Flowerfield

Cemetery in my possession. I have an account of his journey to US from his son, Robert Jr., in 1845 or

thereabouts. According to the Naturalization papers for Joseph, Robert's son, He emigrated from England sailing from the port of Liverpool in the year 1846 and arrived in the US in the same year; and that he arrived in the State of Michigan in 1847.

In Robert Jr.'s Civil War pension records also a list of all but his oldest brother and oldest sister, who came over to US separately with other families, from the Treasury Department United States Customs Service with a correct transcript of the ship "Star of the West" listing Robert Jr. and brothers and sisters and one cousin.

Christened Wisbech, St. Peter,

1850 US Census

Page 190, Flowerfield twp., Johnson Family

James, 44, England

Mary, 40, England

Fanny, 19, England

Joseph, 17, England

Page 190, Flowerfield twp., Johnson family

Robert, 45, England

Flowerfield Township, St., Joseph County, Michigan, enumerated August 15, 1860

Name Age

Joseph Johnson 27

Elizabeth 27

Lewis 1

Joseph 3/12

Robert, Jr. 18

Robert, Sr. 50

More About ROBERT MERRILL JOHNSON:

Fact 1: Flowerfield Cem., Flowerfield, Saint Joseph, Michigan

Notes for SUSANNA CLARK:

The wife of Robert Elmer Johnson, Sr. died during a cholera epidemic while in England in 1849 or thereabouts. This account given by Robert Elmer Johnson, Jr.'s handwriting found in Robert Jr's Civil War Pension Records.

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"Cholera, the highly infectious and often fatal intestinal disease, appeared during the 19th century; the first outbreak occured 1831-33. It was introduced into the northeast ports from Russia; first appearing in

Sunderland. Further outbreaks occurred in 1848-49, 1854 and 1866. On each of these occasions the disease spread with alarming rapidity, largely because of the lack of sanitation in the new industrial towns. The outbreaks provided a spur to public health legislation, which in turn led to the eventual eradication of the disease." Contributed by Martin Edwards of Cambridgeshire Family History Society

Children of ROBERT JOHNSON and SUSANNA CLARK are:

3. JOSEPH³ JOHNSON (ROBERT MERRILL², JOSEPH¹) was born 1832 in Cambridgeshire, England, and died 1915 in Flowerfield, Saint Joseph, Michigan. He married ELIZABETH. She was born in England, and died Unknown.

Notes for JOSEPH JOHNSON:

Dates from his Tombstone.

Bapt. 1832, March, Cambridgeshire, England. Looked up and contributed by Camilla Gemmingen von Massenbach

Naturalization papers for Joseph Done at Centerville, on the 11th day of September 1855. States Joseph born in Cambridge in England and that he emigrated from England sailing from the port of Liverpool in the year 1846 and arrived in the US in the same year; and that he arrived in the State of Michigan in 1847.

1860 Census Flowerfield Township, St. Joseph County, Michigan, enumerated, August 15, 1860

Name Age

Joseph Johnson 27

Elizabeth 27

Lewis 1

Joseph 3/12

Robert, Jr. 18

Robert Sr. 50

More About JOSEPH JOHNSON:

Fact 1: Flowerfield, Saint Joseph, Michigan

Children of JOSEPH JOHNSON and ELIZABETH are:

4. JOHN MERRILL³ JOHNSON (ROBERT MERRILL², JOSEPH¹) was born July 29, 1834 in Cambridgeshire, England, and died Unknown. He married MARY M. HICKS November 30, 1856 in Flowerfield, St. Joseph County, Michigan, daughter of ROBERT HICKS and MINERVA RUTH. She was born May 19, 1837, and died Unknown.

Children of JOHN JOHNSON and MARY HICKS are:

5. ELIZABETH (LOUISA)³ JOHNSON (ROBERT MERRILL², JOSEPH¹) was born April 1833 in Cambridgeshire, England, and died Unknown in Flowerfield, St. Joseph, Michigan. She married JOHNSON GARMAN in St. Joseph County, Michigan, son of WILLIAM GARMAN and ANN. He was born July 1836 in March, Cambridgeshire, England, and died Unknown in Flowerfield, St. Joseph, Michigan.

Notes for ELIZABETH (LOUISA) JOHNSON:

Census Microfilm Records: Michigan, 1900

Michigan, Saint Joseph County, Page 192a

Lists Johnson Garman and his wife Louisa

Shows she had three children and only one living

She came to US in 1847 (with Father)

Johnson came in 1851 and is listed with Robert E. Johnson on "Star of the West"

Shows they were married for 37 years.

Lived in Park Township.

More About ELIZABETH (LOUISA) JOHNSON:

Fact 1: Old Flowerfield Cemetery

Child of ELIZABETH JOHNSON and JOHNSON GARMAN is:

6. ROBERT ELMER³ JOHNSON (ROBERT MERRILL², JOSEPH¹) was born January 01, 1841 in March, Cambridgeshire, England, and died November 20, 1924 in Schoolcraft, Kalamazoo, Michigan. He married REBECCA GARMAN January 28, 1866 in Schoolcraft, Kalamazoo, Michigan, daughter of WILLIAM GARMAN and ANN. She was born March 03, 1849 in Cambridgeshire, England, and died May 20, 1918 in Schoolcraft, Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Notes for ROBERT ELMER JOHNSON:

I have in my possession: In Roberts handwriting the account of his trip from England through NY to Michigan.

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I have all his Civil War and Pension Records. I have gravestone photos of him and his wife Rebecca.

Married by A.A. Dunton, pastor of the Methodist Church.

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Dated Dec. 3, 1993 to Hon. Commissioner of Pensions: Washington D.C.

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Dated April 18, 1916

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From Treasury Deprartment, Office of the Collector

"Sir: Replying to your communication of the 26th ultimo, reference-I.C. 190, 112 Robert E. Johnson, Co. C, 6 Mich., H.A., I beg to inform you that the following is a correct transcript from the passenger list of the Ship "Star of the West" which made entry at this Port from Liverpool, November 28, 1851:-

John Johnsson, age seventeen years,

Susan " " fifteen years,

Elizabeth " " thirteen "

Robert " " eleven "

Jamnon " " five

Natives of Ireland

We know that they were not Natives of Ireland.

Jamnon must be the cousin.

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"SCHOOLCRAFT EXPRESS, 20 November 1924

Robert E. Johnson, Life long resident. Verteran of GAR. Funeral by Rev. W. L. Mann of Methodist Church. Member of 6th Mich Heavy Artillary Co C. Recruited from Kalamazoo. Born in March, England on 1 Jan 1841, came to America with father, two brothers, two sisters in 1853. Mother died in England, Married Rebecca Garman, who also came from England. Married after Civil War. She died in 1918. Celebrated Silver and Golden anneiversaries. Three children Arthur of Central Lake, Mrs. Bernice Powers of Schoolcraft and Merril of Toledo, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Jonson affiliated many years ago with Pleasant Valley Church and when they moved to Schoolcraft they joined the Methodist Church." given to me by Coleene Shearer Watkins.

More About ROBERT ELMER JOHNSON:

Fact 1: Schoolcraft, Kalamazoo, Michigan

Notes for REBECCA GARMAN:

"SCHOOLCRAFT EXPRESS, 30 May 1918

Mrs. Robert (Rebecca Garman) Johnson, born in England 3 March 1849, Died 20 May 1918, 69 years, 2 months, 17 days. At age of five came with parents to America and settled in Flowerfield. 28 January 1866 married Robert Johnson. Three children, Aruthur of Central Lake, Michigan, Mrs. Bernice Powers of Schoolcraft and Merrill of Toledo Ohio. March 1875 she joined the U E Church of Pleasent Valley. Twenty six years ago came to Schoolcraft where she united with Methodist church."

Contributed by Coleene Shearer Watkins.

More About REBECCA GARMAN:

Fact 1: Schoolcraft, Kalamazoo, Michigan

Children of ROBERT JOHNSON and REBECCA GARMAN are:

7. LEWIS⁴ JOHNSON (JOSEPH³, ROBERT MERRILL², JOSEPH¹) was born 1859, and died Unknown. He married CLARA FLETCHER. She died Unknown.

Child of LEWIS JOHNSON and CLARA FLETCHER is:

8. JOHN MERRILL⁴ JOHNSON (JOHN MERRILL³, ROBERT MERRILL², JOSEPH¹) was born April 20, 1879 in Malvern, Silver Creek Township, Mills Co., Iowa, and died July 16, 1973 in Malvern, Silver Creek Township, Mills Co., Iowa. He married STELLA MARY MCCLURE October 03, 1900 in Mills County, Iowa, daughter of JOHN MCCLURE and REBECCA MILLER. She died July 27, 1957.

Children of JOHN JOHNSON and STELLA MCCLURE are:

9. HARRY⁴ GARMAN (ELIZABETH (LOUISA)³ JOHNSON, ROBERT MERRILL², JOSEPH¹) died Unknown. He married MAGGIE MILLER. She died Unknown.

Children of HARRY GARMAN and MAGGIE MILLER are:

10. ARTHUR ELMER⁴ JOHNSON (ROBERT ELMER³, ROBERT MERRILL², JOSEPH¹) was born March 19, 1867 in Flowerfield, Saint Joseph, Michigan, and died August 03, 1934 in Eastport, Antrim, Michigan. He married EUNICE PORTER December 25, 1900 in Schoolcraft, Kalamazoo, Michigan, daughter of WILLIAM GALLOWAY and ESTHER GODBOLT. She was born October 28, 1869 in Ickey, England, and died February 19, 1932 in Eastport, Antrim, Michigan.

Notes for ARTHUR ELMER JOHNSON:

THE CENTRAL LAKE TORCH

"ARTHUR JOHNSON PASSES BEYOND

Arthur Johnson, a highly esteemed resident of the Eastport vicinity for nearly thirty-five years passed away at his home August 3, following a lingering illness.

Funeral services were held at the home Sunday afternoon with Rev. Frederick Peggs officiating and interment was made in the Lake View cemetery.

Arthur E. Johnson was born at Flowerfield, Mich., March 19, 1867 and when a young man of 32 came to northern Michigan. In 1900 he united in marriage with Miss Eunice Porter of Schoolcraft and settled in the vicinity of Eastport. To this union were born three children, two daughters who died in infancy, and a son, Duane, who with his family survive also one brother, Merrill Johnson of Toledo, Ohio. Mrs. Johnson passed away Feb. 19, 1932.

The deceased was a member of the Maccabees and Grange.

The bereaved family have the sympathy of a host of friends."

"In the death of Arthur Johnson, which occurred on Friday morning, a highly esteemed resident of this neighborhood has passed away. He will be much missed by his many friends. The bereaved family is extended sincere sympathy."

More About ARTHUR ELMER JOHNSON:

Fact 1: Lakeview Cemetery, Torch Lake Twp, Antrim, Michigan

Notes for EUNICE PORTER:

Burial: Lakeview Cemetery, Torch Lake, Antrim Co., Michigan

Arthritis, confined to wheelchair.

More About EUNICE PORTER:

Fact 1: Lakeview Cem, Torch Lake, Antrim, Michigan

Children of ARTHUR JOHNSON and EUNICE PORTER are:

11. MERRILL C. A.⁴ JOHNSON (ROBERT ELMER³, ROBERT MERRILL², JOSEPH¹) was born August 01, 1878 in Flowerfield, Saint Joseph, Michigan, and died Unknown in Toledo, Lucas Co., Ohio. He married LATTA T.. She was born in Ohio, and died Unknown.

Notes for MERRILL C. A. JOHNSON:

Railroad man.

Moved to Toledo, Ohio (2) Daughters

111 Whiting

Toledo, OH

Children of MERRILL JOHNSON and LATTA T. are:

12. BESSIE M.⁵ JOHNSON (LEWIS⁴, JOSEPH³, ROBERT MERRILL², JOSEPH¹) was born March 29, 1888 in Schoolcraft, Kalamazoo, MI, and died November 13, 1974 in LeMesa, CA. She married UNKNOWN LOUKES. He died Unknown.

Child of BESSIE JOHNSON and UNKNOWN LOUKES is:

13. CLARENCE W.⁵ JOHNSON (JOHN MERRILL⁴, JOHN MERRILL³, ROBERT MERRILL², JOSEPH¹) was born December 03, 1902, and died Unknown. He met DOROTHY HUBBELL Private. She was born Private.

Children of CLARENCE JOHNSON and DOROTHY HUBBELL are:

14. DUANE PORTER⁵ JOHNSON (ARTHUR ELMER⁴, ROBERT ELMER³, ROBERT MERRILL², JOSEPH¹) was born October 04, 1901 in Eastport, Antrim, Michigan, and died March 24, 1956 in Eastport, Antrim, Michigan. He married CORENE PAULINE RUSHTON October 29, 1925 in Eastport, Antrim, Michigan, daughter of ALBERT RUSHTON and GRACE SMITH. She was born April 24, 1906 in Central Lake, Antrim, Michigan, and died October 19, 1996 in Bellaire, Antrim County, Michigan.

Notes for DUANE PORTER JOHNSON:

The following are copies from Corene P. Rushton Johnson records. No dates are listed, but the source names were written on the clippings.

"ANTRIM COUNTY NEWS

Duane Johnson Passes At Eastport

EASTPORT--Duane Porter Johnson, 54, father of Elmer Johnson, of Bellaire, died Saturday, March 24, at his home here. Funeral services were conducted from the Diton Funeral Home, Central Lake, at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday under the auspices of the North Star Lodge, Torch Lake. Burial was made at Lakeview Cemetery, Eastport. Mr. Johnson was born on October 4, 1901, at Eastport, to Arthur and Eunice Johnson. He had lived in the Eastport area all his life. He was a member of the Central Lake Congregational Church, North Star Lodge of Torch Lake, Eastern Star Chapter and the Maple Hill Grange.

He married the former Corene Rushton in 1925. She survives along with their five children: Elmer, of Bellaire; Versile and Carl, of Grand Rapids; Esther (Mrs. Eugene Dewey) and Ardith (Mrs. Lewis Spoelman) of Eastport."

"THE TORCH

Funeral Services Held For Duane Johnson

Funeral services were held for Duane P. Johnson, who died from a heart attach March 24, Tuesday afternoon, March 27 at the Diton funeral home. The North Star Lodge of Torch Lake, conducted services at the grave. Burial was in Lakevew cemetery at Eastport. Duane Porter Johnson, son of Arthur and Eunice Johnson was born October 4, 1901 at Eastport, where he has lived all his life. He was a member of the Congregational Church of Central Lake, the North Star Lodge, Eastern Star Chapter and the Maple Hill Grange. In 1925 he was married to Corene Rushton, who survives. His five children also survive, Elmer of Bellaire, Versile and Carl of Grand Rapids, Esther (Mrs. Eugene Dewey), Ardith, (Mrs. Lewis Spoelman) of Eastport."

The following is from an unknown source. Just a newspaper clipping.

"This community was shocked and saddened by the sudden death by heart attack of their good friend and neighbor Duane Johnson at his farm home Saturday afternoon. Funeral services were held Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. at Diton Funeral Home. Interment Lakeview Cemetery."

More About DUANE PORTER JOHNSON:

Fact 1: Lakeview, Torch Lake, Antrim, Michigan

Notes for CORENE PAULINE RUSHTON:

THE TORCH, Central Lake, MI, October 29, 1925

"Miss Corene Rushton, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Roy Rushton of Central Lake was united in marriage to Duane Johnson of the Maple Hill neighborhood, on Thursday afternoon of last week. The wedding ceremony was performed by Rev. A.L. Allard, at the Congregational parsonage. They were attended by Miss Loretta Flickinger and Carl Rushton, brother of the bride. After the ceremony was performed the wedding party retired to the home of the bride's parents, where a bountiful dinner awaited them.

Mrs. Johnson is a former high school girl, she having resided here all her life, and is held in high esteem. Mr Johnson is a prominent Central Lake farmer. Mrs. and Mrs. Johnson will make their home in Central Lake for the present. The Torch force and many friends extends their best wishes for happiness and prosperity in their future life."

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THE TORCH, July 2, 1965

"Corene Johnson of Central Lake and Percy Empey of Charlevoix were married Friday afternoon at the Congregational Parsonage by Rev. H. Don Schleicher. Mr and Mrs. Don Rushton attended the couple. A wedding supper was served to the newlyweds and their attendants at Shields Restaurant that evening. On Saturday evening, a reception was held in their honor at the Torch Lake Masonic Temple. Music and dancing was the order of the evening for about a hundred gurests. They will be at home at Charlevoix for the present."

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THE TORCH, Wednesday, October 23, 1996

"Corene P. Rushton (Johnson) Empey

Corene P. Rushton (Johnson) Empey, 90, of Central Lake, died Saturday morning, Oct. 19, 1996, at Meadowbrook Medical Care Facility in Bellaire. She was born April 24, 1906, in Central Lake, the daughter of A. Roy and Grace B. (Smith) Rushton. She was a lifelong resident of Central Lake, and had worked for the Ellsworth Canning factory for over 23 years. She was a life member of the F.J. Lewis-Mark Chapter Order of the Eastern Star and a long time member of the Central Lake Congregational Church. She was preceded in death by her first husband Duane Johnson in 1956, her second husband Percy Empey in 1983, sons Versile and Carl Johnson, stepsons Norman and Kenneth Empey, son-in-law Luther Hogan, brothers Carl, Lyle, and Donald Rushton, Granddaughter Cindy Johnson Gober, and step grandsons Norman Empey and Steve Hogan. Surviving are son Elmer Johnson of Mancelona, daughter Esther (Frank) Novotney of Eastport and Ardith Spoelman of Muskegon, Stepdaughters Elaine Hogan of Knightstown, Ind., and Margaret Oberly of Wyoming, daughters-in-law Edith Johnson of Grand Rapids, Eunice Empey of Bellaire and Kay Empey of Charlevoix, sister-in-law Nina Rushton of Grand Rapids, many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, Great-great-grandchildren, and nieces and nephews. Funeral services were Oct. 21, at the Central Lake Chapel of the Mortensen Funeral Home the Rev. Harold Kruse Jr. officiating. Interment in Lakeview Cemetery, Torch Lake Township. Memorial contributions may be made to the Torch Bay Ambulance."

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REMEMBER THE EVERGREEN WREATH

AND WHAT IT MEANS TO US.

WE ARE BORN AT THE TOP AND THEN

WE LIVE THE CIRCLE OF LIFE;

THEN WE PASS ON TO ETERNAL LIFE.

Children of DUANE JOHNSON and CORENE RUSHTON are:

15. LYLE⁶ LOUKES (BESSIE M.⁵ JOHNSON, LEWIS⁴, JOSEPH³, ROBERT MERRILL², JOSEPH¹) was born in Kalamazoo County, MI, and died July 14, 1991 in LeMesa, CA. He met FRANCES Private. She was born Private.

Children of LYLE LOUKES and FRANCES are:

16. ELMER ROY⁶ JOHNSON (DUANE PORTER⁵, ARTHUR ELMER⁴, ROBERT ELMER³, ROBERT MERRILL², JOSEPH¹) was born Private. He met (1) MAXINE GENEVIEVE DEWEY Private, daughter of CHARLES DEWEY and EMILY HUDCOSKY. She was born Private. He met (2) CLARABELLE LOPER Private, daughter of WILLIAM LOPER and CAROLINE HINTON. She was born Private.

Children of ELMER JOHNSON and MAXINE DEWEY are:

Children of ELMER JOHNSON and CLARABELLE LOPER are:

17. VERSILE RAY⁶ JOHNSON (DUANE PORTER⁵, ARTHUR ELMER⁴, ROBERT ELMER³, ROBERT MERRILL², JOSEPH¹) was born October 22, 1927 in Central Lake, Antrim, Michigan, and died January 31, 1978 in Fort Worth, Tarrant, Texas. He married SANDRA JEAN SMITH January 15, 1949 in Angola, IN [Stuben], daughter of WILLIAM SMITH and BERNICE THIER. She was born March 01, 1929 in Central Lake, Antrim, Michigan, and died November 14, 1988 in Fort Worth, Tarrant, Texas.

Notes for VERSILE RAY JOHNSON:

THE TORCH, January 1949

"Miss Sandra Smith, granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Ruggles, and Versile Johnson, Son of Mr. and Mrs. Duane Johnson, all of Central Lake, were quietly married in Grand Rapids Saturday, according to a telegram received by the groom's parents.

The bride is a graduate of Central Lake High School. The groom graduated from Ellsworth High School before entering the army and served one and one-half years. For the past year and a half he has been working in Grand Rapids, where the couple will make their home."

NOTE: This article is in error for the marriage place. Versile and Sandra were married in Angola, Steuben, Indiana.

THE TORCH, February 1978

"Versile Ray Johnson

Versile Ray Johnson died at the Medical Plaza in Ft. Worth, TX on Tuesday afternoon January 31, 1978 following a lengthy illness. He was born on October 22, 1927 to Duane and Corene Johnson in Central Lake. He attended Ellsworth Public Schools in 1945. Shortly after graduation he served in the U.S. Army as a Tech. Fifth Grade until his discharge on July 28, 1947.

On January 15, 1949 he was married to his wife, Sandra J. who survives him. After their marriage, night school in Grand Rapids led to jobs in the states of Washington, California, Arizona, New Mexico and then Texas where Mr. Johnson was employed by Bell Helicopter. He was preceded in death by his father and a daughter, Cathey, Survivors include his wife, Sandra, (of Hurst, Texas), two sons, Duane of Mansfield, Texas, and Alan of Hurst, Texas; four daughters, Mrs. Cheryl Neely of White Settlement, Texas, Mrs. Carla Winters of Jacksonville, Fla., Mrs. Cynthia Gober of Watauga, Texas, and Janice Johnson of Hurst, Texas. Two brothers, Elmer of Central Lake and Carl of Grand Rapids; and two sisters, Mrs. Esther Dewey of Eastport and Mrs. Ardith Spoelman of Muskegon, Michigan. His mother, Mrs. Corene Empey of Central Lake, eight grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends who also mourn his death. Funeral services were held at 10 A.M. Thursday, February 2nd, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Hurst, Texas with the Rev. Bishop Jeppesen officiating. Following the service the casket was flown to Central Lake where services where held at 2 P.M. Sunday, February 5, 1978 at the Diton-Ebert Funeral Home with the Rev. Robert Bentley officiating. Interment will be made in Lake View Cemetery, Torch Lake Township."

FORT WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, February 1, 1978

"V. Johnson rites pend

Versile R. Johnson, 55, of 1225 Karla, Hurst, an engineer with Bell Helicopter, died Tuesday afternoon in Medical Plaza in Fort Worth. Services are pending at Lucas Funeral Home in Hurst. Burial will be in Michigan. Mr. Johnson was born in Central lake, Mich. and resided in this area for 15 years. He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and an Army veteran. Survivors include his widow, Sandra; daughters, Cheryl Neely of White Settlement, Carla Winters of Jacksonville, Fla. and Janice of Hurst; sons, Alan Johnson of Hurst and Duane Johnson of Mansfield; mother, Mrs. Corine Johnson of Central Lake, Mich.; brothers, Carl Johnson of Grand Rapids, Mich. and Elmer Johnson of Central Lake, Mich.; sisters, Mrs. Ardith Spoelman of Muskegon, Mich. and Mrs. Ester Dewey of Eastport, Mich., and eight grandchildren."

FORT WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, February 2, 1978

"VERSILE RAY JOHNSON, 50, 1225 Karla, Hurst, passed away Tuesday in local hospital. Employed by Bell Helicopter. Survivors, Wife, Sandra Johnson; sons, Duane Johnson, Alan Johnson; daughters, Cheryl Neely, Carla Winters, Cynthia Gober, Janice Johnson; mother, Corene Empey; brothers, Elmer Johnson, Carl Johnson, sisters, Esther Dewey, Ardith Spoelman, eight grandchildren. Services 10 A.M. Thursday Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Richland Hills. Bishop Jeppesen officiating. Additional services and interment Eastport, Michigan. In lieu of flowers memorials to Easter Seal will be appreciated. Arrangements Lucas Funeral Home, 1321 Precinct Line. Hurst. 838-2337"

More About VERSILE RAY JOHNSON:

Fact 1: May 15, 1978, Lakeview, Torch Lake, Antrim, Michigan

Notes for SANDRA JEAN SMITH:

"THE ANTRIM COUNTY NEWS

Central Lake--Sandra J. Johnson, 59 of Ft. Worth, Texas and formerly of Central Lake died Monday, Nov. 14, 1988 at Harris Methodist Hospital in Ft. Worth. She had been the credit manager for Frank Kent Cadillac in Ft. Worth for several years and had resided in Ft. Worth for the past 25 years. She moved from Central Lake in 1955. She was a 1946 graduate of Central Lake High School. She had owned and operated the Side Door lounge in Ft. Worth with her husband for the past year. She was born March 1, 1929 in Michigan, the daughter of William and Bernice (Thier) Smith . She was preceded in death by her first husband Versile Johnson in 1978 and a daughter Catherine Johnson in 1953. March 10, 1988 in Ft. Worth she married Charles Bates who survives. Also surviving are two sons, Duane Johnson of Arlington, TX, and Alan Johnson of Fort Worth; four daughters, Mrs. Grady (Cheryl) Vanoven of Saginaw, TX., Mrs. Ben (Carla) Sumner and Janice Camacho of Ft. Worth, TX and Mrs. Jerry (Cynthia) Price of Hurst, TX; two sisters, Mrs. Louie (Rose) Ramano of Huntington Beach, CA and Mrs. Donald (Velda) Lavanway of East Jordan; her mother-in-law, Corene Empey of Central Lake; 13 grandchildren, many nieces and nephews. Funeral services were held Friday, Nov. 18 at the Central Lake Chapel of the Mortensen Funeral Homes, the Rev. Gerald L. Hedulund officiating. Interment will take place at Lakeview Cemetery, Torch Lake Township. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association."

More About SANDRA JEAN SMITH:

Fact 1: November 18, 1988, Lakeview, Torch Lake, Antrim, Michigan

Children of VERSILE JOHNSON and SANDRA SMITH are:

18. ESTHER MAY⁶ JOHNSON (DUANE PORTER⁵, ARTHUR ELMER⁴, ROBERT ELMER³, ROBERT MERRILL², JOSEPH¹) was born Private. She met (1) EUGENE ARNOLD DEWEY Private, son of CHARLES DEWEY and EMILY HUDCOSKY. He was born Private. She met (2) FRANK NOVOTNEY Private, son of FRANK NOVOTNEY and MARIE PETRICK. He was born Private.

Children of ESTHER JOHNSON and EUGENE DEWEY are:

19. CARL R.⁶ JOHNSON (DUANE PORTER⁵, ARTHUR ELMER⁴, ROBERT ELMER³, ROBERT MERRILL², JOSEPH¹) was born December 26, 1934 in Central Lake, Antrim, Michigan, and died August 06, 1981 in Grand Rapids, Kent, Michigan. He married EDITH MAYBELLE YOUNGS June 04, 1955 in Grand Rapids, Kent, Michigan, daughter of MR. YOUNGS and KITTY. She was born January 30, 1935 in Reed City, Barton Township, Michigan, and died October 29, 1998 in Grand Rapids, Kent County, MI.

Notes for CARL R. JOHNSON:

"DRIVER HAS FATAL HEART ATTACK

A 46 year old Grand Rapids man suffered an apparent heart attack and died while driving Thursday. His car then collided with a utility pole on the Southeast Side. Witnesses told Grand Rapids police they saw Carl Johnson, of 824 Evergreen St., SE, leaning back in the drivers seat with his hands off the wheel before the accident. He was driving south on South Division Avenue about 5 p.m. when his car drifted into the northbound lanes and crashed on the southeast corner of the Hall Street SE intersection, said Officer Richard Schaafma. ...officers and ambulance attendants tried without success to revive Mr. Johnson."

More About CARL R. JOHNSON:

Fact 1: August 09, 1981, Lakeview, Torch Lake, Antrim, Michigan

Children of CARL JOHNSON and EDITH YOUNGS are:

20. ARDITH ANN⁶ JOHNSON (DUANE PORTER⁵, ARTHUR ELMER⁴, ROBERT ELMER³, ROBERT MERRILL², JOSEPH¹) was born Private. She met LEWIS SPOELMAN Private, son of JOHN SPOELMAN and EDNA ZYLSTRA. He was born March 25, 1934 in Beaver Dam, Ottawa, Michigan, and died January 11, 1986 in Muskegon, Muskegon, Michigan.

Notes for LEWIS SPOELMAN:

Article from unknown newspaper and unknown date, copy in possesion of the family

"Muskegon Area Packer Develops Machine To Pack and Sleeve Celery

A Muskegon area celery packer has developed a time and energy saving ramming machine for packing hearts and sleeving stalks in a tight film package. It is a pneumatically operated, semi-auto-matic machine operated by one person. Lewis Spoelman, who developed and built the machine, said that activiation of a switch produces a sequential cycle that lifts one bag from a wicket, places it over the jaws of a funnel, expands the funnel jaws and opens the bag. Then, he continued, the celery which has been placed in a nearly vertical channel above the funnel is forced into the bag by a padded ramming cylinder which retracts with the funnel jaws closing to complete the cycle. Mr. Spoelman said that he built the machine in response to the need to save labor on the packingline. Its use increases the speed of the line by about 30 percent, he added. The prototype model was completed last February followed by the construction of three other machines which have been sold. Mr. Spoelman said that he now has orders from Florida for four other machines. Further information about the machine can be obtained from Mr. Spoelman whose address is..."

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Obituary

SPOELMAN, MR. LEWIS

Mr. Lewis Spoelman, 51 years, passed away suddenly Saturday evening at Mercy Hospital. He was born March 25, 1934 in Hudsonville, MI and moved to Muskegon from Central Lake in 1955. He had been married 30 years to the former Ardith Johnson; and had been employed at VanSolkema Produce of Byron Center, MI. He was a member and was currently a Deacon of Hope Reformed Church. He is survived by his wife: Ardith; 5 children: James (Jill) Spoelman, Anne (Frederic) Reinecke, Leslie (Yolanda) Spoelman and Shirley Spoelman all of Muskegon and Steven (Sue) Spoelman of Lowell, MI; 3 grandchildren; his parents: Edna Spoelman of Muskegon and John Spoelman of Central Lake, MI; 2 brothers: Theodore (Leona) Spoelman of Muskegon and Nelson (Karen) Spoelman of Anchorage, AK; 1 sister: Joyce (Dwayne) Evans of Clare, MI. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Tuesday at Hope Reformed Church with Rev. Paul D. Schmidt officiating. Burial will be in Torch Lake Cemetery. Friends may begin calling at 6 P.M. this evening at the Sytsema Funeral Home, where they may meet the family from 6-9 P.M. For a more lasting memorial, you are asked to consider the Memorial Fund of Hope Reformed Church.

More About LEWIS SPOELMAN:

Fact 1: Lakeview, Torch Lake Twp, Antrim, Michigan

Children of ARDITH JOHNSON and LEWIS SPOELMAN are:

1. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, International Genealogical Index (R), Copyright (c) 1980, 1997, data as of February 1997.

2. TITLE, Batch #: 7627108, Sheet #: 25, Source Call #: 1058780.

3. JOHNSON-1804.ged, Date of Import: Dec 12, 1999.

4. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, International Genealogical Index (R), Copyright (c) 1980, 1997, data as of February 1997.

5. JOHNSON-1804.ged, Date of Import: Dec 12, 1999.

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