Loren R. Johnson

Loren R. Johnson, 79, of St. Joseph, passed away Thursday, May 27, 2004 at his home. Mass of Christian Burial will be Celebrated at 11:30 A.M. Tuesday, June 1, at St. Bernard?s Catholic Church, Ogden & Delaware, Benton Harbor with Fr. William Jacobs officiating. Burial will follow at Spring Run Cemetery, Scottdale with graveside military rites conducted by Stevensville American Legion. Friends may call from 4-8 P.M. Monday at Kerley-Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Liturgical Prayers will be recited at 7:00 P.M. Memorials may be made to St. John-St. Bernard Parish or Berrien County Cancer Service. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guestbook online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Mr. Johnson was born December 24, 1924 in South Haven, Michigan to Arthur & Freda Johnson. He served his country during WWII in the United States Navy stationed in the Pacific Theater. On October 25, 1947, he married the former Pauline Sila in Benton Harbor. Loren was employed by Remington Rand for many years. He left their employment to join Whirlpool in Benton Harbor, from where he retired in 1989 after 25 years. Loren was a member of St. John-St. Bernard Parish, Stevensville American Legion, Whirlpool Oldtimers, and St. Joseph Kickers Club. He was an avid outdoorsman and nature lover, spending much of his free time hunting, fishing, golfing & gardening. Loren most of all loved his family. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. Mr. Johnson is survived by his wife Pauline; two daughters-Cathy (Mike) Brown of Lowell, MI; Cindy (Dennis) Wagasy of Monroe, MI; two sons-Larry (Joy) Johnson of Mundelein, IL; Doug (Jennifer) Johnson of Portage, MI; four grandchildren-Melissa Wagasy, Andrea (Joel) Moore, Madalyn & Grace Johnson; two great-grandchildren-Dylan & Isabella Moore; and three brothers-Robert Johnson of Seminole, FL; Art (Connie) Johnson of Grand Junction, MI; & Howard (Joan) Johnson of Monroe, MI. He was preceded in death by his parents.