Michael Johnson
May 10, 2009
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Service Details
Michael Wayne Johnson, the son of Frank and Billie (Bailey) Johnson was born November 17, 1952 in Des Moines, Iowa. He was educated in the Des Moines school system, graduating from Lincoln High School in 1971. Mike married Angela Dunston on July 8, 1972 and they moved to Cedar Falls, Iowa where they were both students at the University of Northern Iowa.
In 1975, Mike left school to work at John Deere in Waterloo. In 1986, Mike returned to UNI, graduating in 1988 with a BA in Sociology. He went from there to the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary, graduating in 1992. Mike served the Kellogg Christian Church (Kellogg, IA) from 1989 to 2000, Valley View Christian Church (Fridley, MN) from 2000 to 2002, and the Carlisle Christian Church (Carlisle, IA) from 2002 to 2007. Mike was currently serving the Kellogg Christian Church and was very close to finishing his Doctor of Ministry degree through United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities.
Mike was a member of the Boy Scout movement most of his life, earning the Eagle Scout Award in 1971. He was also involved in city government in Kellogg, the Carlisle Betterment Group, and Carlisle Historical Society. Mike was extremely involved in suicide prevention programs and was the founder and first director of the Iowa Suicide Prevention and Education Center.
Those remaining to keep Mike’s memory alive are his wife Angela, daughter Gayle (Alex) Kingery, son Jeremy (Kristin) Johnson, sisters Cathie (Ric) Graves and Pat (Mike) Wahl, brothers Jim (Jenine) Johnson and Steve (Terri) Johnson, parents by marriage Raleigh and Shirley Dunston, brother by marriage Raleigh (Pam) Dunston, sisters by marriage Cyndi Barber and Tracy (Tom) Willis, as well as many loving nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and close cousins. Mike is also survived by his much anticipated grandchild, due in August.
Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, May 13, 2009 at Park Avenue Christian Church, with burial following at Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery. The family will greet friends from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 12th at Hamilton’s Southtown Funeral Home, 5400 SW 9th St.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mike’s name to the Iowa Suicide Prevention and Education Center, the Boy Scouts of America, or the Kellogg Christian Church.
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Rev. Anne Gregory
05/12/2009
Dear Angela and family,
I felt I was just getting to know Mike through the Donut Cluster and other regional events. He was such a thoughtful and kind person. Your whole family is in my prayers.
With blessings,
Anne Gregory
Romans 8:38-39
Dr. Richard Guentert
05/12/2009
Dear Angela and Family,
I was saddened to get the news of Mike's death. He had been on my prayer list, and like all of you, I had been hopeful for him. Over the years of Regional ministry in the Upper Midwest I was blessed to see the fruits of his labors. I beheld the wonderful friendship and collegiality he shared with fellow clergy at Cluster and Regional gatherings of the clergy. I loved his gentle and fun-loving spirit. One of the last Clergy Cluster Meetings I attended was one he hosted there at Kellogg. Most of all I appreciated and admired his work in suicide prevention. He truly understood those issues and had a comprehension of them that few have today. I am pleased to have a copy of his writings on this subject matter which he personally gave to me. I will now treasure it all the more.
In this moment it is Good Friday all over again. Mourn you must. It is time
for mourning. But Easter will occur afresh. Then we will all finally be able to celebrate once again. Thanks be to God for the gift you and your family were given, to enjoy the vibrant, world-blessing life of Mike. I will join my prayers along with all of your Disciples of Christ clergy and families who know and love you. May those prayers sustain you in this most
arduous part of your life's journey.
My prayer for you Angela, and for your children, and for your family is this:
May God lift you up on eagle's wings
to rise above the darkness of this moment.
The Risen Christ be your Redeemer.
The Holy Spirit be your Comforter.
The Church be your rod and staff.
The Community of Christ be your solace.
The Scriptures be your light.
The power of prayer be your encouragement.
The Holy Eucharist be your reconciliation and peace.
And the strength of your faith be the instrument of God's deliverance.
Amen!
Yours in Christ's love,
Dr. Richard Guentert
Former Regional Minister
Christian Church in the Upper Midwest
Christy Gregor
05/12/2009
Angela-
I am so sorry to hear about your husband's passing. Please know you and your family are in my prayers.
Chrsity Gregor
Grinnell College
Marsha Maschmann
05/12/2009
Dear Angela,
I am so sorry to hear the news about Mike. Please know my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I pray that God will help you to find peace and comfort from the love of family & friends, precious memories and the passing of time.
In friendship, with my deepest sympathy.
Marsha Maschmann
Bill & Carla Johnson (Olney, Md)
05/12/2009
You are in our thoughts and prayers. May the memory of Mike's laughter echo in you hearts and the memory of his smile warm you like the sun. May the light of your best memories enrich all of your days. We send you our love.
Jean Kinnaird
05/12/2009
Dear Angela and family,
Bill Francis called this afternoon to tell me about Mike's death. I am so very sorry and stunned about the sad news. I know your faith in God will remind you every day that you will all be together again some day, but the pain of Mike's loss will be great. I'm sure that happy family memories will get you through some of the toughest times, but I pray that God will hold you all in the palm of his hand until the pain has eased.
You have my most sincere sympathy and love, Jean
Howard Sherman
05/11/2009
Dear Angela and Family,
Being a cousin to Mike, there is not enough room to share the great memories that I have of him. A good thing to remember is this, even though their body may have died, those that belong to the Lord are very much alive. I have found this truth to be of great comfort over the years since my Dad passed away. I am sure Mike's siblings will continue to consider you as part of the family and we do too.
Howard, Jayne, Leah, and Brice Sherman
Dear Cathie, Pat, Jim, and Steve,
I can't imagine what it is like to lose a brother, but I know it has to be hard. The void left will never be completely filled while here on earth. However, God's word tells us that in heaven there is no sorrow, so you can be sure that void will be filled once again. All we need to do is be prepared to meet him. We love you all.
Howard, Jayne, Leah and Brice Sherman
Ron & De Wilbur
05/11/2009
Our deepest, condolences, go out to the family of Pastor Mike..We, knew, him, but, a very short time..But, was impressed, with his brilliant sermons, he produced, week, after week.. He, was so great, with the elderly people of the church..He was loved, by all...He will be missed, but, most of all by his family..Our prayers, go out to Angela & children, for needed strength to get thru, this..May God be with all of you...
Pastor Gene and Linda Bryant
05/11/2009
Though you have not met us, we appreciated fellowship with Mike in the Donut Clergy Cluster. We send our deepest sympathy and constant prayers for your family in this time. God's grace is with you. Gene and Linda Bryant, Bethany UCC, Baxter.
Chad, Sally, and family
05/11/2009
Dear Angela, Gayle, Jeremy and family,
Mike will be deeply missed, the group of "Them" will never be the same,
I cherish the memories of Mike the world lost a great man and heaven received one.
your Friends,
Chad and Sally
Steve & Kathi Marquette
05/11/2009
Dear Angela, Gayle, Jeremy and family,
Our heartfelt love and sympathy cannot fully express the sadness we feel for your loss. Our dear friend, "Padre Mike", will be deeply missed here on earth! May God comfort you all today and in the days ahead with happy memories of all your good times with Michael, as you try to navigate life without him.
Your friends,
Steve & Kathi Marquette