|
With loving thoughts of my brother, Michael "Mike" Gilius Johnson, was born on January 17, 1945, and passed away on August 19, 2010 at the Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon, IA. He was a Tavern/Retail Owner in Chicago, IL, and in Lansing, IA. Preceded in death by parents Earl Gilius and Lillian Lois Johnson (nee Ericson), and his son, Michael Gilius Johnson, Jr., who was born on November 04, 1965, and passed away on July 06, 1996. Upon his request, there was no visitation or service. Survivors included his friend Christine Palmer of Lansing, IA, myself and his nephew, Eric McK. Riggs, in Houston, TX, and his niece, Karin Riggs Woessner, in Natick, MA. Rest in Peace. Linda-Beth Johnson Riggs OPRF, Class of 1961
|
R Dennis Ashley
Mike and I were Buds. We hunted arrowheads and pottery along the Des Plaines river at north ave. Found some too.
Took a trip to the Dixon Mounds and, in the cover of night, dug up a farmers yard. Lots of holes, no artifacts.
We double dated and made the forest preserves "rock" :) . His mom made delicious swedish pancakes. She taught me
how to iron a shirt. His dad, into commodity trading , lit that spark in me.
We both were in the first presbyterian youth group but cut out to make out in the available classrooms. That church had
a steeple with a secret door. Somehow, we ended up with a key to the church and made that our private hang out. One
day, a note, ala Martin Luther, was tacked to the ladder to the steeple. It told us about or sinfull ways.
Thanks Buddy.
We took the L downtown and rummaged through old book stores and record shops. We collected stamps.
He had been to Europe and talked about the book stores there. I still have the lapel pin from the Swedish Lines,
his gift to me.
The coolest thing was a trip to a nation of Islam meeting. We were the only white folk there.
We had a debate with the Priest from Fenwick about God and Church.
We shared other experiences that I'm not allowed to post. So ask me in september.
MIke was cool.
Glad I knew ya.
Den
H Stephen Dahlquist
Have to chuckle at a couple of parts of Denny's tribute since I shared in a few similar 1st Pres adventures as well!!! Also spent some time with Mike along the Des Plaines River and actually found an arrowhead!!! Never since. He was an unusual, interesting, outspoken friend for several years and I hope he rests in peace.
Robert L Mitchell
I'm amazed at the number of people who also hunted arrowheads along the Des Planes with Mike, as I did when we were in 7th/8th grade. Lost track of Mike in high school, but I have thought about him often--always thought he would be an archeologist or an anthropologist and, as I have several friends who do that work I was always reminded of Mike. RIP Michael Johnson.