Harold "Speed" George Johns
November 5, 1923 — June 9, 2017
Wetmore
Harold “Speed” George Johns, age 93, of Wetmore, died on Friday evening, June 9, 2017 at the Jacobetti Home for Veterans in Marquette, Michigan. He was born on November 5, 1923 in Traverse City, Michigan to Lyman and Ada (Clark) Johns. During his childhood, his family lived and worked in logging camps in the local area. Harold joined the Civilian Conservation Corps and worked out of Camp Evelyn. He entered into the U.S. Army on January 13, 1943 and served in the European African Middle Eastern Theater. Harold was involved at the Rhineland Campaign. He was captured in Czechoslovakia on January 1, 1945 and was released from a prison camp in Germany on May 8, 1945. Harold was discharged as a Corporal from the 324th Infantry Division on December 14, 1945. After returning home, he worked in the woods and for the Munising Woodenware. Harold married Jean Ann Balko on November 4, 1950 and together raised their family. He went to work for the Soo Line Railroad and worked as a section man for over thirty-eight years, retiring in 1984. “Speed” enjoyed fishing, playing cards, BBQs, riding around, and picking apples and blueberries.
He is survived by his wife of over sixty-six years – Jean Johns of Wetmore; their children – Carol “Cokie” Johns of Safety Harbor, FL, Susan Johns of Cape Coral, FL, Gloria Johns of Sterling Heights, MI, Harold “Sonny” (Lydia) Johns of Wetmore, MI, and Kathy (Josè) Cuautle of Janesville, WI; six grandchildren – Heather, Paul, Matthew, and Andrew Johns, Crystal (John) Smith, and Phillip Cuautle; sisters – Dorothy Johns of Wetmore, MI, Opal Kyllonen of Hermansville, MI, and brother - Stanley (Marilyn) Johns of Munising; and numerous nieces and nephews. Harold was preceded in death by his parents, infant brothers Benjamin and Donald, sister Edith Johns, and brothers Clayton, Ivan, James “Jimmy”, and Glendale Johns.
Graveside services will be held at the Munising Township Cemetery in Wetmore on Tuesday, June 13, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. The American Legion and Vietnam Veterans Honor Guard will conduct military honors and Pastor Jason LaFlamme with conclude with committal prayers. A fellowship gathering and luncheon will follow the services at the cemetery at the Munising Baptist Church in Wetmore.