David J. Johnson, aged 81, of 25 Pleasant Street, Sparta, former Sparta Village president and retired hardware store owner, passed away on Wednesday afternoon, December 4, after a lingering illness. Mr. Johnson was born on May 14, 1887, to the late Andrew and Ida Johnson in Sparta Township. His father died when Dave was still in his teens leaving him the the responsibility of operating the farm. On February 15, 1911, he was married to the former Miss Hilda Stream who passed away on August 2, 1967. In 1915, Mr. Johnson gave up farming and moved into Sparta where he purchased the farm implement and hardware business in Sparta which later be-came known as Johnson's Hardware. His late brother, Carl, was also associated with him in the business until they retired in 1958 after serving in the Sparta retail business for 43 years. Active in community and church affairs, Mr. Johnson was a trustee on the Sparta Village Council from 1924 to 1933 and served as its president from 1944 to 1949 and again from 1955 to 1966 when he retired because of ill health. He was a member of the Mamrelund Lutheran Church and was a past president of the Church Board. Mr. Johnson was a member of the Sparta Masonic Lodge, F. & A.M. No. 334 for almost 50 years and was a member of the Temple Building Committee. He was also a Pythian and helped to organize the Sparta Hunting and Fishing Club. Surviving are two adopted sons, Edward Soderstrom and Charles Saur, both of Sparta, five grandchildren, Kathleen, Jon, and Carl Soderstrom, and Charles and Barbara Saur; one sister, Mrs. Augusta Goodfellow. and several nieces and nephews. The Reverend Donald Johnson conducted the funeral services on Saturday afternoon at the Mamrelund Lutheran Church with burial in Greenwood Cemetery, Sparta. Arrangements were by Hessel-Cheslek Funeral Home of Sparta.
Obituary notice 2 --
JOHNSON - David J. Johnson, aged 81, of 25 Pleasant St., of Sparta, passed away Wednesday at his home. He is survived by two sons, Edward Soderstrom and Charles Saur of Sparta; five grandchildren; one sister, Mrs. Augusta Goodfellow of Sparta; several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Saturday 2 p.m. at the Mamrelund Lutheran church, Kent City, with Rev. Donald Johnson officiating. Interment Greenwood Cemetary, Sparta. Friends may call at the Hessel-Cheslek Funeral Home. Relatives please meet at the church chapel at 1:45 p.m. Saturday. Those who wish my make a memorial contribution to the church.
More About David J. Johnson: Funeral Services: December 07, 1968, Mamrelund Lutheran Church. Interment: Greenwood Cemetery. Misc 1: Sparta village president 1944-1949 and 1955- 1966. Misc 2: Sparta village council 1924-1933. Occupation: Co-Founder of Johnson's Hardware, Sparta. Retired: 1958
More About David J. Johnson and Hilda Johanna Stream: Marriage: February 15, 1911, Kent City, MI.
Children of David J. Johnson and Hilda Johanna Stream are:
David J. Johnson (b. May 14, 1887, d. December 04, 1968)
Notes for David J. Johnson: