Kenneth A. "Kelly" Johnson, 85, Whitney, Michigan

[KJ1110]

WHITNEY — Kenneth A. “Kelly” Johnson, 85, of Whitney, died Thursday morning, Aug. 9, 2007, at the Veteran’s Administration Hospital in Milwaukee.

Kenneth was born in Whitney on March 17, 1922, the son of Axel and Julia (Anderson) Johnson. He was raised in Whitney and attended school there, in Perronville and in Bark River.

In March 1943, “Kelly” enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. Following training he was assigned to the 4th Marine DIvision and was sent to the South-Central Pacific theater of operations in March of 1944. While in the Central Pacific he was a part of the Marianas campaign, going ashore at Guam and Saipan and was also in the battle for Iwo Jima. He returned in November of 1945 when he was honorably discharged as a corporal.

Following his military service Kelly returned to his avocations as a jobber and woods worker. His love of the outdoors extended to his hobbies of hunting, fishing and especially trapping wherein he was known in the area for his skill in trapping fur bearing animals and bountied predators.

Kelly is survived by his brothers, Ben (Marie) and Donald and sister-in-law, Izetta. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews, all of whom respected and loved their “Uncle Kelly.”

In addition to his parents, Axel and Julia, Kelly was preceded in death by sisters, Martha, Thelma, Helen and June, as well as brothers, Clifton, Arthur and Glenn.

Service will be held at the convenience of the family with the Crawford Funeral Homes of Escanaba and Bark River assisting the Johnson family.

Burial will be held in the Gardens of Rest Cemetery.

A message of condolence may be sent to the Johnson family at crawfordfuneral@chartermi.net

[thedrifter]

RIP

Ellie