Fay Alvin Johnson Sr., 82, of Niles
Published 9:05 am Tuesday, October 23, 2018
May 26, 1936 — Oct. 21, 2018
Fay Alvin Johnson Sr., 82, of Niles, died peacefully at 4:21 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018, at his home following a brief illness. His family is grateful for the compassionate and professional care offered by the staff of Caring Circle Hospice at Home.
He was born on May 26, 1936, in Niles to Bud and Florence (Dash) Johnson, and was graduated from Niles High School. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served on the guided missile cruiser USS Boston. He was Honorably Discharged as a Veteran of the Korean Conflict. Back in Niles, he began a career as a truck driver, was a member of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters union local #364 in South Bend, Indiana, and drove for many years for Jordan’s Mishawaka Transfer, a Mayflower agency, now Jordan-Huys Moving and Storage.
Fay Alvin Johnson Sr.
Fay enjoyed fishing and hunting with his dad and his brothers, and spent much time taking care of his yard. But his greatest interest was his family.
On March 15, 1958 in Cassopolis, he married the former JoAnn Barrett with whom he celebrated the forty-first anniversary of their wedding prior to her death on Jan. 1, 2000. He was also preceded in death by his parents, and by two brothers, Bud, Jr. and John Johnson.
Surviving family includes his children, LuAnn (Gene) Solloway, of Elkhart, Indiana, Teresa (Rodney Sr.) Solloway and Fay Johnson Jr., both of Niles, David (Heather) Johnson, of Leesburg, Florida, and Shelley Johnson, Rita Johnson, Joseph (Peggy) Johnson, and Richard (Jamey) Johnson, all of Niles; 51 grandchildren, 49 great-grandchildren, and 5 great-great-grandchildren; and Fay’s sister, Patricia Tittle of Statesville, North Carolina and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral service for Fay Alvin Johnson Sr. will be at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 25, 2018, at the Halbritter Wickens Funeral Home, 615 East Main Street in Niles with the Rev. Jonathan Rose, Chaplain of Hospice at Home officiating. Committal services will follow at the Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles and will conclude with the Full Military Honors by the United States Navy Honor Guard and American Legion Post #51 of Buchanan, Michigan.
The family will receive relatives and friends on Wednesday from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Contributions in memory of Fay may be made to the Caring Circle Hospice at Home, lakelandhealth.org/caring-circle/hospice-at-home-cares. Online condolences may be left at: halbritterwickens.com.
