- Date Of Birth: January 30, 1928
- Date Of Death: December 27, 2009
- State: Michigan
Melvin Rawleigh Johnson, 81, of Three Oaks, Michigan died after a brief illness on Sunday afternoon, December 27, 2009, at his home surrounded by his loving family.
Mel was born January 30, 1928 in Niles, Michigan to Rawleigh and Beatrice (nee: Dennis) Johnson. He served his country in the Pacific theater with the US Navy during WWII, and also served in the US Air Force at Andrews Field. On April 14, 1952 he married Marguerite Ann Calamia, she preceded him in death. Mel retired in 1980 from the Conrail Railroad, working out of Niles, Michigan and Elkhart, Indiana.
On November 18, 1987 Mel married Nancy Rose Johnson Russell in Harbert, Michigan. Mel was an avid reader of Louis L’Amour novels, enjoyed traveling, golfing, boating, and spending time at the cabin on Trout Lake in the U.P. He loved the outdoors and being a part of the natural world, watching the animals and birds, fishing, hunting, and looking for mushrooms.
Survivors include his wife, Nancy; daughters, Judy Johnson (Larry), of Galien, Michigan; Kathy Johnson (Joe), of Niles; Karen Lubroski (Tom), of Three Oaks; and Sandy Patton (Greg), of Statesville, NC; grandchildren, Kaley, Alex, Jacob, Evan, Maggie, Marissa, Shawn and Joshua; great granddaughter, Chelsea; sister, Dawn Bryant of Niles; brother Mark Johnson (Dr. Helene), of Berrien Springs, Michigan; stepdaughter, Melinda Russell-Haight (Kevin); stepson, Tim Russell (Kelly); step grandchildren, Ian, Benjamin, Abbey and Jake; his “adopted sister” Aunt Rosemary, and many dear family members and friends. In addition to his parents and Marguerite, Mel was preceded in death by his son, James Melvin Johnson, and 8 brothers and sisters.
