April 15, 1965 – April 7, 2018

Asa Alvin Johnson Jr., 52, of Niles, died at 4:25 p.m. Saturday, April 7, 2018, at Lakeland Hospital — Niles following an illness.

He was born on April 15, 1965, in Niles to Asa A. and Emma Jean (Neidlinger) Sr., and attended Niles Community Schools. He was a member of the International Union of Painters, Decorators, and Paperhangers Local #1118 in South Bend, Indiana, and had worked on several remarkable projects including the Cook Nuclear Plant.

Asa enjoyed fishing and camping, visiting the Four Winds casino, and cooking — inside or outside, stove or grill. His family’s favorite dish was his baked beans.

On Oct. 31, 1995, in Niles he married the late Sharon Rose Kelly, with whom he celebrated the 21 anniversary of their wedding prior to her death on June 3, 2017. He was also preceded in death by his father, Asa, Sr.; and by Asa, Jr.’s brother, Grayland Skyler.

Surviving family includes his children, Asa A. (Kelly Matthews) Johnson, III, Samantha Kay (James Williams) Johnson, and Angela Janine (Cheryl Masterman) Johnson, all of Niles; grandchildren, Mable Johnson, Asa A. Johnson IV, Joshua DeWitt, and Ayden Johnson; Asa, Jr.’s mother, Emma Johnson of Niles, and his siblings, John Allen Johnson and Penny (Rob) Wagner, both of Niles; and Sharon’s brothers, James and Michael Kelly, both of Niles; and nephews Robert and Randle Wagner.

The memorial service for Asa Johnson, Jr. will be at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, April 17, 2018, at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home in Niles with Pastor Bradley Heiple of Hope Community Church in Niles officiating. Online condolences may be left at: halbritterwickens.com