Fay Alvin Johnson, Sr.
May 26, 1936-Oct. 21, 2018
Fay Alvin Johnson, Sr., age 82 years of Niles, Michigan died peacefully at 4:21 p.m. on Sunday, October 21, 2018 at his home following a brief illness. His family is grateful for the compassionate and professional care offered by the staff of Caring Circle Hospice at Home.
He was born on May 26, 1936 in Niles to Bud and Florence (Dash) Johnson, and was graduated from Niles High School. He enlisted in the United States Navy and served on the guided missile cruiser USS Boston. He was Honorably Discharged as a Veteran of the Korean Conflict. Back in Niles, he began a career as a truck driver, was a member of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters union local #364 in South Bend, Indiana, and drove for many years for Jordan’s Mishawaka Transfer, a Mayflower agency, now Jordan-Huys Moving and Storage.
Fay enjoyed fishing and hunting with his dad and his brothers, and spent much time taking care of his yard. But his greatest interest was his family.
On March 15, 1958 in Cassopolis, Michigan he married the former JoAnn Barrett with whom he celebrated the forty-first anniversary of their wedding prior to her death on January 1 of 2000. He was also preceded in death by his parents, and by two brothers, Bud, Jr. and John Johnson.
Surviving family includes his children, LuAnn (& Gene) Solloway of Elkhart, Indiana, Teresa (& Rodney, Sr.) Solloway and Fay Johnson, Jr., both of Niles, David (& Heather) Johnson of Leesburg, Florida, and Shelley Johnson, Rita Johnson, Joseph (& Peggy) Johnson, and Richard (& Jamey) Johnson, all of Niles; 51 grandchildren, 49 great-grandchildren, and 5 great-great-grandchildren; and Fay’s sister, Patricia Tittle of Statesville, North Carolina and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral service for Fay Alvin Johnson, Sr. will be at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 25, 2018 at the Halbritter Wickens Funeral Home, 615 East Main Street in Niles with the Rev. Jonathan Rose, Chaplain of Hospice at Home officiating. Committal services will follow at the Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles and will conclude with the Full Military Honors by the United States Navy Honor Guard and American Legion Post #51 of Buchanan, Michigan.
The family will receive relatives and friends on Wednesday from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Contributions in memory of Fay may be made to the Caring Circle Hospice at Home, https://www.lakelandhealth.org/caring-circle/hospice-at-home-cares. Online condolences may be left at: www.halbritterwickens.com