Kenneth L. Johnson

Kenneth L. Johnson, 94, of Battle Creek, Michigan, passed away peacefully, at Lakeview Assisted Living, after a life well lived on Wednesday, May 20, 2026.

Ken was born on February 7, 1932, in Norway, Michigan, to the late Albert and Edna (VanDamme) Johnson. He was the youngest of four and grew up in Vulcan, Michigan, in the Upper Peninsula, where he was president of the Class of 1950 and an all-state basketball player.

Ken married his childhood sweetheart, Mary Louise Calcatera, on December 26, 1953, in a beautiful Christmas ceremony at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Norway, Michigan. In 1954, Ken earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Western Michigan University. He then proudly served in the U.S. Army from 1954–1956 and was deployed to Germany as a Payroll Clerk. Upon returning home, he continued his education at Western Michigan University and earned a master’s degree in education.

Ken began his career as a teacher and coach at St. Patrick High School in Portland, Michigan, where he worked from 1957–1966. He taught high school Social Studies, Math, and Science and served as head coach for basketball, baseball, and cross country. He was also an assistant football coach, golf manager, part-time bus driver, and even a part-time confessor. From 1967–1972, he worked for the State of Michigan. In 1972, Ken and his family moved to Battle Creek, where he worked as an Educational Consultant with Guido Binda & Associates for nine years. In 1981, Ken started his own business, Diversified Consultant Services, alongside “the best secretary in the world,” Marilu. He liked to say she worked for room and board. He officially retired in 1992.

Ken was preceded in death by his loving wife and partner of 49 years, Marilu, who passed away on February 6, 2003. He was also preceded in death by his daughters, Jeanne Marie Grise and Jackie Kay Garoutte; his son, Michael Kevin Johnson; his brothers, Roland and Ernest Johnson; and his sister, LaVern Solda.

On October 18, 2008, Ken married Corky Miller. Together they shared 16 years living in Florence, Wisconsin. Corky passed away in February 2025.

Ken is survived by his daughter, Jill (Eric) Petersen; his son, Scott (Sheri) Johnson, both of Battle Creek; and his son-in-law, Patrick Grise, of Battle Creek. Known lovingly as “Papa” and “Papa 2,” Ken is also survived by eight grandchildren: Ashlee Johnson, Ericka Markos, Jana (Cody) Hoffman, Jeffrey Johnson, Chelsey (Travis) Smith, Samantha Grise, Grant (Maria) Petersen, and Ryne Petersen; as well as nine treasured great-grandchildren: Brixton, Nori, Jovi, Jude, and MJ Hoffman; Jaxson and Dylan Smith; Cashton Markos; and Royal Mitchell.

After moving to Battle Creek in 1972, Ken became a lifelong supporter of Pennfield athletics. He served as the second president of the Pennfield Athletic Booster Club and charter president of the Pennfield Optimist Club. Following his move back up north in 2006, he remained active in his community, serving with the Town of Commonwealth in Florence County, and the Keyes Lake Association.

Ken’s faith was a constant throughout his life, and he found great joy serving as a Eucharistic Minister to homebound and hospitalized parishioners. He was a devoted member of St. Jerome Catholic Church in Battle Creek and St. Mark’s Catholic Church in Florence, Wisconsin.

He loved playing cards — especially cribbage, Euchre, blackjack and 31/Tunk. A card game with Ken was never complete without a few “teachable moments”. An avid outdoorsman, he always enjoyed fishing, hunting, and gardening.

A lifelong sports fan, Ken faithfully kept up with every season through his daily reading of USA Today. He was also legendary for organizing creative sports pools for family and friends, most recently his annual Kentucky Derby pool.

Ken will be remembered as a devoted family man, loyal friend to many, and someone always willing to lend a helping hand. He never hesitated to step in and get the job done. Naturally outgoing, Ken made friends wherever he went and enjoyed many happy hours throughout his life. Most recently, during his two years at Lakeview Assisted Living, he organized a happy hour group with a whole new set of friends known as the “Manhattan Club.” He always inspired his family to be kind, work hard, and to celebrate life. He will be deeply missed.

God Bless!

Friends will be received 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Cremation Preneed Care, where a service to celebrate Ken’s life will be held 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 2, 2026. Military honors and Committal will follow at Fort Custer National Cemetery. The service will be livestreamed and may be viewed at: https://vimeo.com/event/5948881

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to either Pennfield Athletic Boosters, C/O Athletic Office, 8299 Pennfield Rd, Battle Creek, MI 49017 or the Al and Karla Schrauben Foundation, 140 Church Street, Portland, MI 48875 ( https://giving.parishsoft.com/app/giving/stppob211)

Ken’s family wants to acknowledge the wonderful, personal care that everyone at Lakeview Assisted Living and Heartland Hospice provided for both Ken and their family.

Personal messages for the family may be placed here at www.farleyestesdowdle.com