Arthur Harold Johnson Jr., 82, of Westville, IN, died at 5:10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 20, 2017, at Hospice Franciscan Communities, Michigan City, IN.
He was born Nov. 3, 1934, in Chicago to Arthur Harold Johnson Sr. and Lillian Elsie (Seeling) Johnson.
Arthur honorably served his country in the National Guard, then was transferred to the Armored United States Army Reserve. He also served in the Ready Reserve after his service in the USAR. Arthur was a past member of the Michigan City Power Squadron, current 55-year member of Westville Masonic Lodge 192, 1961 co-founder of Midwest Steel Federal Credit Union, and a manager and coach for Westville Little League from the late 1960s to the mid-1970s. He retired from Midwest Steel Corporation in 1988. Arthur was a collector of antiques.
On Aug. 27, 1955, at the Lutheran Church in Valparaiso, IN, he married Dixie Dene (Claussen) Johnson, who died almost a year ago on Jan. 31, 2016, after their 61 years of marriage.
Also preceding him in death were his parents; a stillborn son in 1956; son, Eugene Dale Johnson; daughter-in-law, Diane (Terry) Johnson; sister, Arlene Lillian Johnson; grandson, Andrew Eugene Johnson; and step-grandson, Landon Goldston.
Surviving are his sons and daughters-in-law, David Alan (Susan Lachiewicz) Johnson of LaPorte, Richard Lane (Kathleen Vance) Johnson of Lantana, TX, Sandy Reeves of Union Mills, IN, Stephen Dane (Terri Goodall) Johnson of Albia, IA, James Paul (Jennifer Bramblett) Johnson of Louisville, KY, and Michael Carl (Carey Goldenstern) Johnson of LaPorte; 18 grandchildren; one great-grandchild, Kamille; many step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren; niece, Melissa Boatwright; many friends; close friends, Bill and Diane Mondt, Emil and Lora Wolpink, Bob and Bonnie Kolasa, and Bill and Linda Rinker; and his favorite pets, Bonnie, Topper, Harley, Tobi and Lacy.
Cremation will take place. A private burial along with his wife, Dixie Dene Johnson, will take place in Westville Cemetery. Lakeview Funeral Home and Crematory, LaPorte, is handling arrangements.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the LaPorte County Small Animal Shelter, 2855 W. Ind. 2, LaPorte, IN 46350, in memory of Arthur Harold Johnson Jr.