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1919 - 2012
 Edward William Johnson age 93, a WW II hero of Greenville, passed away after a brief illness at Spectrum Health Butterworth Campus, Grand Rapids on Saturday evening October 20, 2012. He was a longtime active member of the First Congregational Church. Ed is survived by his loving wife Mae; their sons, Bill and wife Sharry of Greenville and their children, Jennifer Johnson and Mary and Dan Lelko and son Avery , the great grandson of Ed and Mae, Bruce of Sidney and grandson Justin, and Maes brother William (Erma) Honegger of Waterbury, Conn.
He was born May 25, 1919 in Greenville, grew up on the family farm in South Sidney and graduated from Greenville Union High School where he was active in sports graduating with the class of 1938. He was preceded in death by his parents Ethel and Oscar.
While working for 3 years at the Wolverine Glove Shop, he was called into the military service. He served with the 1st Division, The Big Red One . During his service in the European Theater of Operation he earned the following awards; The Silver Battle Star, Bronze Battle Star, Distinguished Unit Badge with 2 Bronze Oak leaf clusters, Silver Star attachment and the Arrowhead, WWII Victory Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, American Defense Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citations, Tunisia, Sicily, Normandy, Hurtgen Forest, Hamich, Germany. Ed was also the recipient of the prestigious French Medal of Honor medal and award.
Ed met and married Mae Honegger of Waterbury, Conn. She was serving as a surgical technician in the Medics in the WACs. They married at the Ft. Sheridan Army Chapel in Illinois. Ed jokingly told people he was a survivor of the war and captured on his return home. It worked as they have been married on month shy of 67 years.
He graduated from Ferris and the University of Michigan, with degrees in education and served in school administration in Maple City Glen Lake, Roscommon and Bellaire. He was a life member of the Michigan Education Association and the National Education Association, Disabled American Veterans, Flat River Museum and Fighting Falcon Military Museum.
He enjoyed his army reunions, being Grand Marshall in the Danish Festival, the coffee gang at Margos and serving on the Downtown Development Authority.
Memorial services will be held on Thursday October 25, 2012 at 11 AM from the First Congregational Church with Rev. Dr. Jerrold T. Jones officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.
In lieu of Flowers, memorials may be given to First Congregational Church, The Fighting Falcon Military Museum, Flat River Museum or the VFW Cleveland-Wolverton Post # 3794. |
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There are currently 14 condolences.
1
Sunday December 23, 2012 at
7:49 AM
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James Smither
Monday November 12, 2012 at
3:40 PM
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Dear Mrs. Johnson, Thank you for letting me know about Ed and for sending along the clippings. I very much enjoyed getting to know both of you and recording your stories for our archive. I have interviewed many veterans over the past five years or so, and many can run together after a while, but Ed is one who stands out of the crowd. He was clearly a remarkable man, and I feel privileged to have met him. Jim Smither, GVSU Veterans History Project
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Beth Giulianelli
Friday November 9, 2012 at
11:17 AM
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Dear Bill and Sharry,
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your father. Kim sent me the obituary and I can see he was a remarkable man. I hope you can be comforted by the fact that you loved and respected him. I know that through your faith you know he is in the Lord's hands. Please accept my sincere condolences.
Beth
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Andy Hurst
Friday November 9, 2012 at
11:08 AM
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Mark Wrona
Monday November 5, 2012 at
2:27 PM
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Mrs. Johnson and Family,
I wanted to share a bit of my experience with Ed. I am a Landscape Architect/Planner. I met several years ago while working for the Greenville Downtown Development Authority and the Chamber of Commerce on seeking a location for a potential Farmers Market. At that time Ed served as a member of the Greenville Task Force. I got to know Ed more and more over a 3 month process of meetings. Ed invited me over to your home to see your home grounds. I gladly accepted, and was yhrilled with the tour, beautiful grounds which Ed explained that Mrs. Johnson was responsible for. In short, I will always remember being touched by Ed, his sharing with me- a bit of who he was, with very few words. I learned a valuable lesson from Ed, during that study period; Humility, Service (into ones 90's) and Reaching Out to Others.
I feel very blessed to have met Ed Johnson.
Sincerely with condolances,
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Brandy Tyslenko-Devereaux
Thursday October 25, 2012 at
4:08 PM
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Mary and Family,
So sorry for your loss.The lord may of taken an amazing man but now the lord has him in heaven doing great things and watching over all of you. May this bring you comfort in your time of grief.
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Larry & Susan Anstett
Tuesday October 23, 2012 at
1:13 PM
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Our sincere condolences. Ed was quite a gentleman. He will be sadly missed.
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Lisa and Brian Gardner and Family
Tuesday October 23, 2012 at
10:51 AM
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Dear Mae and family,
We are so sad to hear about Ed. We always enjoy seeing you both at church. Your smiles light up the room. Ed was a remarkable person and will always be remembered.
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Wendy jeffrey
Tuesday October 23, 2012 at
8:17 AM
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Mae,Bill,Sherry and family- so sorry to hear about Ed's passing. Charlie and I felt we were so blessed to have met Bill. I loved our chats while taking care of Mae's hair. Miss you all and know our thoughts and prayers are with you at this hard time
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Rick & Deb Petersen
Monday October 22, 2012 at
10:42 PM
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Mae and family, I am very sorry for your loss, I shall consider it an honor to have known a man like Ed, The world is a far better place because of the time Ed spent in it, he shall be missed but forever remembered.
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Pamela Jorgensen Nichols
Monday October 22, 2012 at
9:25 PM
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Dear Mae and family,
I am so sorry to hear of Ed's passing. He was a shining example of service both in the military and in education.He will remain for me an example of gentlemanly grace. Greenville will not be the same without him. xoxo
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Ron & Mary Brimmer
Monday October 22, 2012 at
9:13 PM
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Bill, Sharry & family,
We are so very sorry to hear about the passing of Ed. He was certainly a pillar in the Greenville community. He was also a very kind, friendly person. Every time we look at our garage that he helped build with Bill, we will think of him. Prayers and condolences to all of you.
Ron & Mary Brimmer
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Gerald and Mary Ellen Tovatt
Monday October 22, 2012 at
5:00 PM
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Mae,Bruce, Bill, Sharry and family. We are so sorry to hear of Ed's death. He was one of my first patients when I came to Greenville. I admired him so very much for what he stood for and how much he sacrificed for our country. He was a truly remarkable person.
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David Ralph
Monday October 22, 2012 at
8:31 AM
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I am deeply saddened to learn of Ed's passing. Ed was a remarkable individual - a true gentleman who always displayed grace and dignity. I enjoyed serving with Ed on the DDA board. His thoughtful wisdom was always appreciated. We have lost a shining example of "The Greatest Generation". My thoughts and prayers go out to the entire family
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