Leola M. Johnson Obituary (1918 - 2017)

Leola Marjorie Johnson, age 99, formerly of Three Rivers died Monday, Dec. 18, 2017 at Birch Adult Foster Care in Leonidas. She was born in Rockford, Michigan on Aug. 31, 1918 the daughter of Adam and Ada (Zimmerman) Hammer. Leola was married to James Paul Johnson in Rockford on Aug. 7, 1941. Leola received her Master's Degree in Education from Western Michigan University. She began her teaching career in rural schools in Ionia and Kent Counties. Following her marriage, she taught in Belding Public Schools, and finished with the St. Joseph County Intermediate School District, teaching homebound students. Leola was a member of the Michigan Education Association. She was a 4-H volunteer, and was active in several churches, most recently Berean Baptist Church in Portage. Leola is survived by her husband of 76 years, James Paul Johnson of Leonidas; daughter, Rose Marie (Douglas) Wrung of Sunnyside, WA; son, Joel (Ethel) Johnson of Jonesboro, TN; two foster sons, Robert (Gail) McNinch of Wyoming, MI and Jack McNinch of Freeland, MI; special friends, Paul & Jan Grandlinard and their family; 13 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Crystal Cuthbert; and four brothers, Maxwell, Harold, Preston, and Dayton Hammer. In keeping with her wishes, cremation has been conducted. Services will be held 11:00 am Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018 at the EICKHOFF FUNERAL HOME IN MENDON. Memorial donations may be directed to the Baptist Children's Home, 354 West Street, Valparaiso, IN 46383, or at 219-462-4111 for debit or credit card contributions. Assistance was provided by the Eickhoff Farrand Halverson Chapel of Three Rivers. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.efhchapel.com