Edsel Johnson

He was born on June 11, 1925, in Mass City, a son of the late Victor and Hulda (Aho) Johnson. As a child, the family moved to Houghton where he was a graduate of the Houghton High School with the Class of 1943.

Edsel worked for a short time in the local mines before serving with the United States Navy during World War II. He then attended Soumi College (Finlandia) where he received an accounting degree. He worked briefly for Copper Range and then retired from UPPCO after 32 years.

On June 14, 1947, he was united in marriage to the former Mildred Poyhonen. The couple had resided in Hancock where they raised seven children.

Mr. Johnson was a member of the First Apostolic Lutheran Church of Houghton. He enjoyed working on projects around the home and at the family camp over the years and spending time with the family.

Preceding him in death were his wife, Mildred on October 24, 2008; his daughter and son-in-law, Sandy and John Issacson; his brother, Elmer; his sister, Eleanor Merriman; and two infant sisters along with his parents.

Surviving are his children, Jim (Karen) Johnson of Big Traverse, Chuck (Julie) Johnson of Hancock, Jerry (Edie) Johnson of Atlantic Mine, Mike (Kriss) Johnson of Atlantic Mine, Tom (Amy) Johnson of Hancock, Margaret (Mike) Lassila of Howell; 55 grandchildren and 123 great-grandchildren; his in-laws, Ina Nordstrom, Lillian Kilpela, Ruth Jurmu and Ray (Dorothy) Poyhonen all of Hancock; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Funeral services for Edsel will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday November 7, 2017, at the First Apostolic Lutheran Church of Houghton with David Taivalkoski to officiate. Burial will be in the Lakeside Cemetery of Hancock.

Friends may call on Monday, November 6, 2017, from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the First Apostolic Lutheran Church of Houghton and on Tuesday from 10 a.m. until time of services at the church.

Edsel’s family would like to thank the staff of the Omega House in Houghton and the staff of Portage Home Health and Hospice for the care given.

To view Edsel’s obituary or to send condolences to the family please visit memorialchapel.net.

The Memorial Chapel & Plowe Funeral Homes of Hancock have been assisting the family with the arrangements.