Kenneth A. Johnson

January 27, 1924 – January 7, 2023

Kenneth A. Johnson, DDS, age 98, passed away Saturday evening, January 7, 2023, at the Leila and Cyrus Poppen Hospice Residence in Fruitport. He was born January 27, 1924, in Muskegon to John and Mable (Butterfield) Johnson; and had been a life resident of the area. Ken was a 1941 graduate of Muskegon High School. He then attended Muskegon Community College until enlisting in the U.S. Air Force on December 12, 1942. Ken served as a B-17 bombardier on the Winged Warrior, flying 18 missions. He was honorably discharged on November 28, 1945, as a first lieutenant. Following his discharge, he continued his studies at Muskegon Community College before attending Marquette University, where he was a member of Delta Sigma Delta fraternity. In 1950, he received his Doctor of Dental Surgery from Marquette University’s School of Dentistry. Dr. Ken began his Dentistry practice in North Muskegon in 1950 and continued serving his patients until his retirement in 2007. He also served as the first Dentist of the Muskegon Zephyrs and of the early Mohawks hockey teams. On December 14, 1951, he married the former Joyce Wiersma, and they celebrated 71 years of loving partnership. Survivors include his wife, Joyce; their son, Bradley, and wife Denniell Johnson of Norton Shores; 5 grandchildren, Scott, Carl, Mandy, Sonja, and Dallas; 7 great-grandchildren, Allie, Sieria, Morgan, Shawn, Abbey, Jordan, and Kaylee; and 1 great-great-granddaughter, Zoey. Ken was preceded in death by his parents, son Scott, brother Byron Johnson, and mother and father-in-law, Clara and Edwin Wiersma. He was a life member of the Michigan Dental Association and of the Muskegon Dental Association. He was a member of Muskegon First Congregational Church, UCC, and of the Muskegon Country Club, where he had served on its board; and enjoyed decades of weekly golf matches with many friends. He served as President of the Muskegon American Cancer Society and on the board of United Way. As a member of Rotary, he provided dental care in Jamaica in February of 2001 with his wife, Joyce, attending by his side.

A MEMORIAL SERVICE for Dr. Ken will be held later this Spring. Arrangements entrusted to The Lee Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 6291 S. Harvey St., Norton Shores, MI 49444. For a more lasting memorial, you are asked to consider The Muskegon Rescue Mission or Muskegon Salvation Army. Please sign the family's online guestbook and share memories at sytsemafh.com.”