Carol Jean Johnson

Williamston, formerly of Blissfield

Carol Jean Stanley Johnson, 82, formerly of Blissfield, Michigan, passed away on January 16, 2017 at Sparrow Hospital, in Lansing, Michigan from complications suffered after a medical procedure. She was born March 27, 1934 in Chicago, Illinois - the daughter of Robert K. and Jennie (Shephard) Stanley. She married Elmer Glenn Johnson on August 6, 1955 in Allegan Michigan. Elmer preceded her in death on October 12, 2012. After graduating from Calumet High School in Chicago, Carol moved to Michigan to begin teaching in a one-room country school in Allegan County. She was a stay at home mom in the sixties and reentered the work world in the late 70s as a writer and photographer for a small town newspaper. Her interests were wide ranging including photography, reading and history. For years she edited the calendar of the Great Lakes Historical Society’s Inland Seas publication, and was an avid Boatnerd, fascinated by freighters and the Great Lakes maritime industry. A child of the Great Depression she was frugal to a fault, but she loved Christmas as an excuse to shower her family with gifts. After retirement in 1992, she enjoyed traveling with Elmer to all 48 contiguous states with frequent trips to their beloved Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the U.P. in Michigan. At the age of 78, she overcame a lifelong fear of flying and a skepticism of physics leading to the discovery of air travel. This opened up the world of cruising, taking her to Alaska, Mexico and leading to a thorough exploration of the Caribbean. In her later years she focused on her love of books and amassed an extensive collection of crime fiction by Michigan authors. Surviving are two daughters Peggy Lynn (Craig) Campbell of Williamston, Michigan and Penny Lee Schuyler of Muskegon, Michigan; and two grandsons, Ian Campbell of Golden, Colorado and Griffin Campbell of Williamston. Gorsline Runciman Funeral Home in Williamston is assisting the family with visitation at the funeral home, 205 E. Middle St, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, January 22, 2017. Graveside services will occur at the Summit Cemetery in Williamston on Tuesday, January 24, 2017 at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, 111 Dollywood LN, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863, in Carol’s memory.

The family is being served by Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes Williamston Chapel.

Arrangements under the direction of Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, Williamston, MI.