Marilyn Johnson

With her daughter by her side, Marilyn died Sunday, June 23rd of complications following a stroke. Marilyn was born in Kalamazoo on February 26, 1933 to Albert and Martha (Reyerse) Scheffers. She graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School in 1950 and married Jack Johnson on October 2, 1953. She worked for the UpJohn Company for over 35 years, retiring as an executive secretary in 1993. After spending 86 years in Kalamazoo, in May of this year Marilyn moved to Arizona to be closer to her daughter, Rhonda and her family. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Jack Johnson, and her sister, Ellen Blake. She is survived by her daughter and Son-in-law, Rhonda and Joe Connell; Grandchildren: Elisabeth Connell, Ian and Sierra Connell and Neal Connell; her brother and his wife, Lee and Lynne Scheffers; two nieces: Rachell Juriga and Melissa Scheffers and two nephews: Jeffrey Terpstra and Bradley Terpstra, as well as several cousins. Marilyn had been a member of Centerpoint Church and enjoyed being a part of the senior Bible study. She was a collector of bells, dolls and angels. Marilyn loved playing games: Bingo with many friends around town, dominoes and cards with family. She was the ultimate hostess - taking joy in entertaining friends and spending time with family. Her family would like to express their thanks to the staff of Sunrise of Scottsdale for welcoming her with open arms and the staff of Park Village Pines/Oakview Terrace for their care. A service for Marilyn will be held on Thursday, July 25 at Centerpoint Church at 11:00 am with visitation at 10:00. A lunch will follow. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her memory to the Kalamazoo Deacon's Conference.