Marilyn J. Johnson Monday, June 27th, 1938 - Monday, July 25th, 2022 Belleview - to Gun lake, MI

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On Monday, July 25, 2022, Marilyn Jean Johnson passed away at the age of 84 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Marilyn was born on June 27, 1938 in their family home in Barry county to Ella and Floyd Langs. Marilyn was a graduate of Bellevue High School class of 1956. On June 13, 1959, she married Richard Duane Keeler of Battle Creek. They raised four children Jeannine, Karen, Bryan and Kim. Marilyn was a homemaker in their early years of marriage & later worked at Kellogg Community College in Data Processing then as a teacher’s assistant at the Battle Creek Vocational Education Center in the same subject. Marilyn became a widow in late 1982.

Several years later, she and Harold (Bud) Johnson Jr rekindled their High School relationship and were married in April 1987 and her family expanded to include Harold’s three children, Ken, Don, Wendy and their families. They built their dream home in Dorr, MI where they often entertained neighbors, friends, family, and church members.

Marilyn loved children and well into her late 70s could be seen playing with her grandchildren or great-grandchildren, running around playing games or down on the floor playing with toys. She also enjoyed sledding with her grandchildren & great grandchildren into her early 80s. Marilyn loved to make her home look special inside and out and enjoyed growing flowers. Marilyn was very active and enjoyed working out, bowling and playing golf. She was a cross-country skier and enjoyed snowmobiling with her family and friends. What most remember about her is that she loved to dance!

Marilyn and Bud were very active in Gun Lake Community Church. She participated in worship, children’s, youth and missions’ ministries. She was often involved behind the scenes cooking meals for events and delivering food to families during times of loss, illness, or the arrival of a new baby. She was also a member of the church quilting group and made blankets for those in need. The couple traveled on several youth missions’ trips to Mexico and NYC. Her church family at GLCC blessed her after Bud succumbed to cancer in 2017 and continued to transport her to church every Sunday and to include her in activities and gatherings until her health prevented it.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents Floyd & Ella Langs, brother DuWaine Langs, sisters Doris Cary and JoAnn Pennock, brothers-in-laws Gordie Pennock and Laverne Bivens and husbands Richard Keeler and Harold Johnson Jr. She was survived by her children Jeannine (Keeler) Sordini, Tom and Karen (Keeler) Hughes, Bryan and Tina Keeler, Kim Keeler; her stepchildren Ken and Sheila Johnson, Don and Janine Johnson, Wendy and Patrick Hundley, 17 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren, sister Erdine Bivens, sister-in-law Patricia Langs and brother-in-law Albert Cary.

Marilyn’s family will receive friends on Sunday, July 31, 2022, 3:00 to 5:00 PM at the Williams-Gores Funeral Home where her memorial service will be conducted on Monday, August 1, 2022, at 11:00 AM, Pastor Dan Beyer officiating.

Memorial contributions to Gun Lake Community Church’s Youth Ministry, 12200 W M-179 Highway, Wayland, MI 49348. Please visit www.williamsgoresfuneral.com to share a memory or to leave a condolence message for Marilyn’s family.

Marilyn’s memorial service will be livestreamed at 11:00 AM, please click here to join.
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