Gordon & Loretta Johnson

Gordon E. Johnson and his wife of 63 years (married June 29, 1957) Loretta A. Johnson passed within three weeks of each other.

Gordon E. Johnson born February 15 1933 (Chicago, IL) passed at home with his beloved wife, Loretta and two children at his side, on April 13, 2021. Gordon was preceded in death by his parents, John and Ida Johnson; brother, Hagard Johnson; sister- in -law, Marion Johnson; brother- in- law, Ray O’Neil; and granddaughter-in-law, Kate Davis.

Loretta A. Johnson, born August 6, 1936 (Cicero, IL), passed at McLaren Hospital on April 30, 2021. Loretta was preceded in death by her parents, Otto and Mildred Kolar; and sister, Judy Stakowski.

Gordon and Loretta are survived by their children, Daniel (Robin) Johnson, (Roscoe, IL) and Cathy (Mark) Davis, (Fredericksburg, VA); brothers, Walter (Hana) Johnson, (Stickney, IL), Harold (Dorothy) Johnson (Minnetonka MN); sister, Harriet O’Neil, (Tillsonburg, Ontario, Canada); brother-in-law John Stakowski; grandchildren, Andrew (San Antonio, TX), Matthew (Tacoma, WA), Samantha (Portsmouth VA), Julianne (Travis) Davis Henty, Brittany, Jonathan, Corrie (Walt) Davis Hill, Kayleigh, Nathanael Davis (Fredericksburg, VA); Zachary Johnson (Roscoe, IL) and Natalie (Nathan, Parrish, FL) Johnson Gillette; great grandchildren, Emma, Lily, and Remington Davis (San Antonio, TX); JJ and Drake Gillette (Parrish, FL); and many nieces and nephews.

Gordon received a Bachelor’s Degree in Geology -1959-Missouri School of Mines. Began working in the industrial sand industry in 1961.

Gordon and Loretta lived in Rockford IL for 25 years moving to Lakeport MI in 1985. This job-related move was to establish the Evans Mining Corporation in Smiths Creek MI. In 1995 he started his own company selling used mining equipment and consulting for numerous mining companies.

A family vacation was a requirement every year. He was able to visit all 50 states while packing a rock hammer and first aid it in case of snake bites. Recently February and/or March were spent in Arizona or Florida.

His many hobbies included rock and mineral collecting, golf, bird watching, and reading. The birds at the back-yard feeder were his house pets.

While Loretta and Gordon’s children were in school, Loretta was a stay at home mom. Loretta served her community by volunteering as Cub Scout and Brownie den mother, PTA vice president, church circle chairperson, and hospital pink lady. She later worked as a data processing input clerk and then sold retail advertising for Gannet newspaper in Rockford, IL.

After moving to Lakeport, MI in 1985, Loretta once again served her community as Treasurer of the Sheldon Beach Community Board of Directors and assisted their subdivision in getting various necessities as drainage also and roads.

Loretta became Burtchville Township Clerks assistant and Deputy later being appointed and then elected as Burtchville Township Clerk. Most gratifying part of being Township Clerk was getting the Burtchville Township Library established and computerizing all of the cemetery records. She also served as chairperson of the St. Clair County Clerks Association. In retirement served as chair of the Burtchville Township Planning Commission and the County Board of Election Canvassers believing Michigan has the best run elections in the country.

In 2000 she decided to plan a 16th birthday trip for her oldest grandchild. She continued that tradition until 2016 when the final two grandchildren reached the age of 16 (+ or - 1). They were trips for grandparents and grandchildren.

She was an accomplished seamstress, cook, and puzzle doer. Her passions were only exceeded by her fanaticism over the Chicago Cubs and Bears.

Gordon and Loretta were very blessed by good friends in their neighborhood in Lakeport. A special thank you goes out to Millie Peterson, Paul and Stacey Britz, and Bob Giles. They were neighbors and friends for years and were a great help to both of them until the very end.

Burial has taken place at Burtchville Township Cemetery.