Clyde M. Johnson

Chatham

Clyde M. Johnson, 86 of Chatham died peacefully surrounded by his family at Munising Memorial Hospital on January 3, 2023.

He was born in Chatham on October 7, 1936 and was the fourth of seven children of Albert and Mildred (Anderson) Johnson.   He grew up on the family dairy farm in Cold Springs where he developed his strong work ethic.  Clyde liked to tell stories of his time involved in 4-H, especially of showing Brown Swiss calves at the U.P. State Fair.  After graduating from Eben High School in 1955, he and his good friend Bob Wiitanen moved to the Detroit area for work.   However, the U.P. was calling him back and after 2 years, he moved home to Alger County and married his high school sweetheart Barbara Vartti.

Clyde retired from Kimberly Clark in 1995 after 36 years of work.  A wonderful husband, father, and grandfather, he was an avid gardener, enjoyed golf, casino visits, and spending time with family.  Clyde was a lifelong Tigers and Lions fan and rarely missed a game on TV or the radio.  He was always up for engaging in a good story or harmless prank with family and friends. A hard worker, Clyde instilled his work ethic and values to his daughters and grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years Barbara, their 3 daughters Kelly (Ken) Heitman of DePere, WI, Jane Ruska of Marquette, and Susan (Stephen) Breining of Fort Mill, SC, four grandchildren Nicholas (Julia McClean), Amber, Paul, and Dana, siblings Steve Johnson, Judith (Ed) Heribacka, and Susan Foster, as well as numerous extended family and friends.

The family would like to thank the staff of both Medilodge in Munising as well as Munising Memorial Hospital, who took good care of him the last few years of his life.

A graveside service will be held on Monday, August 7, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. at Pine Grove Cemetery in Chatham.  A luncheon will follow at Barb and Clyde’s home.