Beverly Johnson

Beverly Johnson, 74, of Vandalia, Michigan, passed away Saturday afternoon, November 3, 2012, in her home. She lived for many years in the Granger / Mishawaka area before moving to Buck Lake, Vandalia, in 1992.

Bev was born March 26, 1938 in St. Louis, Missouri, the daughter of the late Benjamin and Millicent (Kuzniak) Laufmann. She grew up in LaPorte and was a graduate of LaPorte High School. She attended Southwest Michigan College.

Bev was employed for many years at Lochmandy Motors in Elkhart. She also worked on the US Census and at the election polls. She was a proud Democrat.

Bev enjoyed family get-togethers that included sitting around the campfire drinking coffee and talking. She loved watching a Notre Dame Football game. Bev made holidays and birthdays extra special for everyone. Other past-times included flower and vegetable gardening, Farmville, talking politics, Chinese food, going to garage sales, and going to lunch every other week with her brother, Bernie, and his wife, Nancy. Bev loved life, having fun and always had a positive attitude and a smile that would often come with a quick joke. She also loved animals. The Johnson family has many memories of their longtime tradition of annual vacations in Maine, a state where her late husband spent some of his years growing up.

Bev was preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, Charles “Chuck” Johnson, in 2003.

Bev’s surviving family includes three sons, Charles (Cindy) Johnson II, Rick (Brenda) Johnson and Kristopher (Marie) Johnson; a daughter, Marilyn (Michael) Vance; a brother, Bernie (Nancy) Laufmann; nine grandchildren, Valerie Robertson, Lyndsay Vance, Kristopher Johnson II, Traci Johnson, Nicolet Johnson, Victoria Johnson, Dustin Vargo, Ben Vance and Daniel Vance; three great grandchildren, Alyssa Johnson, Alexis Robertson and Alex Robertson; and best friend and companion her German Shepherd, Tag.

Friends may spend time with Bev’s family Tuesday, November 6, from 5 - 8 pm and Wednesday from 11 am - 12 noon in Goethals & Wells Funeral Home, 503 W. 3rd Street, Mishawaka.

Services honoring Bev’s life will be held Wednesday at 12 noon in the funeral home with her grandson, Dustin Vargo, officiating. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park, Granger.

Contributions in Bev’s memory are suggested to the American Cancer Society. Assistance with memorials is available at the funeral home.

‘Bev has now gone to meet her husband Chuck.’ She will truly be missed by all who knew and loved her.