Darrell Johnson

Darrell A. Johnson, age 75 years of Niles, Michigan died at 5:56 a.m. on Sunday, May 15, 2016 at Lakeland Hospital – Niles following an extended illness.

He was born on December 18, 1940 in Leonidas Township, Michigan to Darrell N. and Edith L. (Reid) Johnson. He was graduated from Niles High School, and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He was discharged as a Veteran of the Viet Nam Era, and returned to Niles where he lived most of his life. He owned and operated the Durable Construction company as a General Contractor, building many local homes.

Darrell was formerly a volunteer with the Niles Habitat for Humanity. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, and watching movies – usually westerns, but his greatest interest was caring for his family, and especially the grandchildren.

On March 25, 1966 in Las Vegas, Nevada he married the former Sheryl R. Sklarew with whom he celebrated in March the remarkable Fiftieth Anniversary of their wedding.

Surviving family includes his wife, Sheryl Johnson; children, Valerie Johnson and Darrin Johnson, both of Fort Pierce, Florida, Steven Johnson of Jackson, Michigan, Jeffrey (& Marcia) Johnson of Kalamazoo, Michigan, Stephanie (& Rick) Thacker of Stevensville, Michigan, and Derek (& Meredith) Johnson of Parker, Colorado; thirteen grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; and Darrell’s brother, Dale N. (& Nadean) Johnson of Traverse City, Michigan and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a son, Darrell A. Johnson, Jr. in 1989; his parents, Darrell N. Johnson and Edith Johnson Schneck; and by a sister, June M. Morris.

Services for Darrell A. Johnson will be at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 19, 2016 at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with the Rev. Darrel le Roux of Niles Westside Seventh-day Adventist Church officiating.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Thursday at the funeral home from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Contributions in memory of Darrell may be made to the Forgotten Man Ministries of Berrien County.