George "Jug" Johns

Munising

George “Jug” Johns, age 83, of Munising, died following a brief illness on Wednesday morning, January 31, 2018 at UPHS Marquette.  He was born in Munising on October 26, 1934 to George and Edna (Parr) Johns.  Jug was raised in Munising and joined the U.S. Air Force in 1951.  He was stationed at Spangdahlem AFB in Germany and served as a crew chief during the Korean War.  Jug returned home in 1954 to help care for his brothers after the unexpected accidental death of his father.  After he began employment at Kimberly Clark in November of 1954, he met Joyce Erickson.  They were married on June 25, 1955 and together raised their five children.   Jug continued his working career at the Munising mill and worked in the Beater Room, Specialties Department, and Service Operations Department.  He retired on January 1, 1994 as Checker-Stocker.  During his time at the mill, he also served as Constable for Munising Township.  Jug was the first Commander of the Munising Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla.  He also was a longtime member of the American Legion, served as the Post’s Commander, and was a dedicated member of the American Legion Honor Guard.  Jug served as Governor of the Moose Lodge and was a faithful member of Sacred Heart Church.  He was an avid bowler and enjoyed hunting, fishing locally and in Canada with his friends, camping, and playing shuffleboard.  Jug and Joyce moved to 16 Mile Lake in 1990 and enjoyed their time on their pontoon with family and friends.  He and his granddaughter Lisa, both Air Force Veterans, cherished their time together on Mission X of the U.P. Honor Flight.   Jug Johns was a kind and happy-go-lucky guy who always had a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye.

He is survived by his loving wife of over sixty-two years – Joyce Johns of Munising; their five children – Tina Herron of Alabama, Carolyn “Tarry” (Fred “Skeet) Cornish of Wetmore, George (Lisa) Johns of Alabama, Julie (Jerome) Savola of Munising, and Toni (Rob) Jurmu of Esko, MN; eight grandchildren- Michael Herron, Bianca Herron, Bill (Jennifer) Cornish, Lisa (Ken) Mattson, George (Inelia) Johns, Hannah Jurmu, Sarah Jurmu, and Lucas Jurmu; five great-grandchildren – Maci, Dylan, Jason, Ryan, and Jesus; sisters – Judy Gerber and Alberta Nausianen; brothers – Dan, Ed, Jerry (Sharon), Joe, Marvin, and Bobby Johns; and numerous nieces and nephews.   Jug was preceded in death by his parents, son-in-law Larry Herron, brother Willard Johns, and sisters Norma and Barbara Johns, Joy Russell, and Violet LaFrambois.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated by Father Chris Gardiner at Sacred Heart Church in Munising on Monday, February 5, 2018 at 11:00 a.m.   A time of fellowship will take place in LaMothe Hall following his Mass.   Interment will be at the Veterans section of Maple Grove Cemetery in Munising where the American Legion and Vietnam Veterans Honor Guard will conduct military honors on Friday, June 22, 2018 at 1:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to be made to the Beacon House, 1301 N. Third Street, Marquette, Michigan 49855.