James Wilfred Johns

JOHNS, James W. (Whitey) Portage Passed away May 13, 2011. James was born April 19, 1921 in James W. "Whitey" Johns passed away peacefully on May 13th 2011 surrounded by family at St. Mary's Lacks Center in Grand Rapids, MI after a brief illness. Born April 19th, 1921 to James Loel Johns and Martha W. Benfeldt in Richmond, Indiana. After graduating from Kalamazoo High School, Mr. Johns pursued a lifelong career in the construction and building trades as a carpenter. He served his country during WWII in the U.S. Navy as a torpedoman primarily aboard the submarine USS Sargo in the pacific theater. After the war, Mr. Johns was united in marriage to Mary (Proudfoot) Johns who predeceased him in 1992. Besides his parents & wife, Mr. Johns was preceded in death by granddaughter Shalean Johns in 1984 and son Jerry Johns in 2005. He is survived by children & spouses Suzi & Donald Doane (Portage, MI), James & Collette Johns (Scotts, MI), Steven & Susan Johns (Portage, MI), Jeffery & Melissa Johns (Portage, MI), Charles & Stacie Dineen (Lawton, MI). Grandchildren and spouses Jerry Jr. & Jane Johns (Willmington, OH), Christopher & Wendy Doane (Taylor, MO), Brian Doane (Portage, MI), David & Virginia Johns (Kalamazoo, MI), Brandon & Mindy Johns (Vicksburg, MI), Jeremy & Laura Hunter (Kalamazoo, MI), Allison Hunter, (Marina on St. Croix, MN), Nathan Johns, (Portage, MI) & Maura Dineen (Lawton, MI) as well as 10 great-grandchildren, cousins & life-long friend Homer Searles. Mr. Johns had a full life & enjoyed family & friends, golf, RV-ing, and was especially active with the U.S. Navy Submarine Veterans of WWII. In lieu of flowers please consider memorials to the American Cancer Society or charity of your choice. A private burial at Ft. Custer National Cemetery on Friday with a memorial service at Avink Funeral Cremation Society 129 S. Grand, Schoolcraft, at 2pm Friday May 20, 2011. Friends may leave thoughts and photos at www.avinkcremation.com