Bernard (Barney) V. Johnson

WAKEFIELD, Mich. – Bernard (Barney) V. Johnson, of Wakefield, passed away Thursday, Aug. 20, 2020, at Special Health Services Home for Veteran Hero's Home in Tomahawk, Wisconsin, after a long battle with cancer.

Barney was born on Dec. 6, 1949, to Algot B. and Gernith (Olson) Johnson in Wakefield. He graduated from Dugway High School in 1968. After graduation Barney joined the U.S. Navy in 1968, serving a tour of duty during the Vietnam War, and was honorably discharged in 1972. He then took aviation courses at Spartan School of Aeronautics, Hawthorne Aviation, and the Department of the Army Dugway Proving Grounds, Dugway, Utah. Barney graduated with an average of 98% from Hawthorne Aviation and worked at Beech Aerospace as a mechanic and test pilot. Barney moved back to Wakefield in 1980, and worked at Camperland until its closing.

Besides her parents, Barney was preceded in death by his grandparents, Anton and Eunice (Hillis) Olson, and Algot and Eleanor (Sperry) Johnson.

Barney was a member of the Wakefield American Legion Geroux Post for 25 years and a past member of the Wakefield Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9084.

He enjoyed fishing, camping and gardening. He was a man of many talents, an avid music enthusiast and played in several bands throughout the years. If you had the pleasure to know Barney, you knew he was a gentle, giving man and a friend to everyone who knew him.

Barney is survived by his brothers, Bob, De Pere, Wisconsin, and Alan, Toole, Utah; and a sister, Bonnie, Salt Lake City, Utah. He is also survived by special friend, Rosie Zurakowski, her daughter, Lori Coubal and her sons, Alex and Zak; and a wealth of dear friends.

A celebration of life will be held at the Wakefield American Legion Post on River Street in Wakefield on Saturday, Oct. 3, at 1 p.m., with services being conducted by the U.S. Department of the Navy and members of the American Legion Post 11 and the Wakefield VFW.

The family has entrusted Jerald Rocco, Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc. with the funeral arrangements.

The family would like to thank Aspirus Hospice Services in Wausau, Wisconsin, and Special Health Services Nursing Home, Tomahawk, Avanti Healthcare Services and AspirusGrandViewHospital in Ironwood for their professionalism and loving care of Barney while he was a patient.