Robert G. Johnson

He was born Jan. 7, 1935, in Nahma, the son of George and Marie (Gouin) Johnson and was raised in the Isabella area. He attended school in Garden and graduated from Cooks High School as valedictorian with the Class of 1953.

Following school, he went to work with his uncles doing construction in various cities throughout Lower Michigan. He was employed as a laborer and foreman upgrading city streets for a contractor in Kalamazoo. Bob later worked for a contractor in Saginaw on highway and airport construction in Michigan, Illinois and Indiana as a laborer and foreman.

On Feb. 9, 1963, he married the former Ruth Ann Burnis at the St. Francis de Sales Church in Manistique.

In 1967, Bob went to work for Hoholik Plumbing and Heating in Manistique as their accountant. He retired from Hoholik Enterprises after 30 years.

Bob and Ruth Ann started their family in the Isabella area and moved to Manistique in 1977 to be closer to Bob’s work and their children’s school. Towards retirement, Bob and Ruth Ann purchased a home on Riverview Drive where they enjoyed the river and a little country living.

Bob served on the Cooks School Board and as secretary of the Big Bay de Noc School Board. During the consolidation of the Nahma, Garden and Cooks schools, he and Board President Carl Van Remortel went to Detroit to obtain a one million dollar school bond for the new school at Garden Corners.

He enjoyed going out to the Nahma area hunting with his friends and was an avid fan of the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Tigers. In earlier years, he and Ruth Ann enjoyed camping with their family and friends at Corner Lake and traveling throughout the United States and parts of Canada. He was also a member of the U.P. Whitetails Association in Manistique.

Bob is survived by his loving wife, Ruth Ann Johnson of Manistique; children, Kevin Johnson (Brenda Weber) of Manistique, Steven (Cindy) Johnson of Manistique and Angela Martinez of Ludington, Mich.; grandchildren, Andrew (Danielle Smithson) and Lexi Johnson, Heather and Brianna Weaver, Angelica and Nicole Martinez and Ashley Johnson; three great-grandchildren; brother, Donald Johnson of Escanaba; sisters, Mary Ann Popour of New Balitimore, Mich., Carolyn Miller of Manistique and Marcy (Richard) Tatrow of Shelby Township, Mich.; along with numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers-in-law, Duane Popour, John Miller and Paul Perry; and his sisters-in-law, Helen Perry and Sue Johnson.

Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16, at St. Francis de Sales Church in Manistique. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at noon, at the church, with Father Ben Paris officiating. A luncheon will immediately follow at the church. Burial will be in the Fairview Cemetery at Manistique.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be directed to the charity of your choice.

The Messier-Broullire Funeral Home of Manistique is assisting the family with the arrangements.