Jenny Marie Johnson, lifelong resident of Niles, Michigan; mother, grandmother, sister, former employee of both Simplicity and Majerek’s died peacefully at 10:05 p.m. on Saturday, June 22, 2024 with her family gathered around at Corewell Health Lakeland Niles, having attained the age of 96 years.
She was born on February 4, 1928 in Niles to Clifford E. and M. Vanrhie (Manley) Thomas, and was graduated from the old Niles Central High School with the class of 1946. She was employed in the bookbinding department of the former Niles plant of Simplicity Pattern Company for 25 years, retiring in 1993. She was also employed by the former Majerek’s Hall of Cards and Books for 20 years, working at both the former original store on Main Street in Niles and the branch store in the former North Village Mall in South Bend, Indiana. She really enjoyed working at both Simplicity and Majerek’s, mostly due to her relationship with the fellow employees, and with the retail customers.
Jenny was a member of the former Wesley United Methodist Church in Niles (now New Journey United Methodist Church). She enjoyed reading, and was a great fan of the Chicago Cubs baseball team, watching their games on television, and she also enjoyed watching tennis matches, and professional bull riding. Years ago, she was active in the bowling leagues at the former Shula’s Thirty-One Bowl (now Joey Armadillo’s), mostly for spending time with people, and when the Blue Chip Casino opened, she enjoyed the fellowship she found there. More recently, she has appreciated the proximity of the Four Winds Casino at Dowagiac, often shared with family members, the people who she most enjoyed.
On February 22, 1948 at Wesley Church in Niles she married Robert E. Johnson, with whom she celebrated the remarkable Fifty-ninth Anniversary of their wedding prior to his death on April 29, 2007. She was also preceded in death by her parents, and by her siblings, Clifford Thomas, Jr. (and by his wife, Doris), Robert Thomas (and by his wife, Sally), Daniel Thomas, and brother-in-law, Robert Dokey.
Surviving family includes her daughters, Kathy (& David) Sullivan of Buchanan, Michigan, Sue (& Dave) Hare of Niles, and Becky (& Roy) Paturalski of Buchanan; grandchildren Mindi Schafer (& Melanie Schuler Wilkinson), Jenny (& Richard) Huff, Emily (& Shawn) Tucker, Kristi Hessey (& David Kaiden), Katie (& Ryan) Stark, and Tara (& Josh) Hardy; fifteen great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren; and Jenny’s sister, Patricia Dokey of Niles, sister-in-law Bonnie (Mrs. Danny) Thomas, and many nieces and nephews.
Services for Jenny Johnson will be at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, July 8, 2024 at her graveside in Silverbrook Cemetery, 1400 East Main Street in Niles, with Angela Caddy, Minister of the Universal Life Church officiating. Arrangements were completed at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 East Main Street in Niles. Online condolences and memories may be left at: www.halbritterwickens.com
Jenny’s ninety-six years greatly exceeded the scriptural promise of seventy, or by strength, eighty; and she used all of those years well, visiting-with and encouraging everyone around her, at work, at the bowling lanes, at the casino, and more importantly, her family, especially the grands and greats; all fulfilling the command to love God and love people.
Posted On: Tuesday, June 25, 2024 3:41 PM
