Johnson, Michael – 1952-2009

BAILEY, BARBER, DUNSTON, GRAVES, JOHNSON, KINGERY, WAHL, WILLIS

Posted By: JCGS Volunteer
Date: 5/28/2009 at 13:56:39

CARLISLE — Michael Wayne Johnson, the son of Frank and Billie (Bailey) Johnson was born Nov. 17, 1952, in Des Moines. 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, 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 bachelor’s degree in sociology. He went from there to the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary, graduating in 1992. Mike served the Kellogg Christian Church in Kellogg from 1989 to 2000, Valley View Christian Church in Fridley, Minn., from 2000 to 2002, and the Carlisle Christian Church in Carlisle 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; his 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 at 11 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 to 8 p.m. today, May 12, at Hamilton’s Southtown Funeral Home, 5400 SW Ninth 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.
Source: Newton Daily News; Tuesday, May 12, 2009