Saturday, February 20, 2021

 Francis Elwood Johnson

Francis Elwood Johnson of Brighton passed away January 20, 2020 at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital. He was born April 17, 1921 in Cassopolis, MI. He was the son of Eston Hinshaw and Vera Sylvia (Judie) Johnson. He was raised on the family farm in Penn Township. Francis attended Allegheny County Schools and graduated from Cassopolis High School, Class of 1938.

Fran joined the Marine Corps and served from 1942-1946 during World War II. He attended the University of Southern California where he played for the winning Rose Bowl Team of 1945. He graduated from Michigan State College in 1949, with a degree in Dairy Management. He went on to work for Michigan Milk Producers for 34 years in several positions, including managing the Ovid and Imlay City plants. He retired from the MMPA headquarters in Detroit.

While in Imlay City, he met and married Marlene Jahn, leading to a 68-year marriage. He is also survived by their four children: Mary Johnson of Brighton, Jim (Paula) Johnson of Paw Paw, Susan (Pat) Terrell of Bannister, and Karen Johnson of Howell. He was also grandfather to Artie (Brooke) Wilcox, Aaron Sheanwald, Christa (Casey) Gibbons, Trevor Sheanwald, Ryan Terrell, Jessie Miller, Cabe Miller, and Carrie Miller. He is also survived by nine great grandchildren.

Francis will be laid to rest in Youngs Prairie Cemetery in Penn Township in Cassopolis, MI.

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