WAKEFIELD, Mich. - David L. Johnson, 78, of Wakefield, passed away suddenly on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025, at Aspirus Ironwood Hospital.

David was born on Nov. 28, 1946, in Ironwood, a son of Leslie and Eunice Johnson. He attended A.D. Johnston High School in Bessemer and graduated in 1965.

On May 19, 1973, David married Ruth S. Nowak in Milwaukee. Together they had two children, Jennifer and James.

David worked as a draftsman for Square D Company and Bucyrus-Erie Company in Milwaukee. He spent many years as a heavy equipment operator for Les Johnson and Sons and Angelo Luppino and snow plowing in the winter. While here in the U.P. snow plowing can be grueling work, he loved it! He spent too many hours to count watching the weather channel and knowing if flurries were predicted it probably meant a foot of snow was coming. He missed being able to plow this year and we are happy he is no longer suffering this disappointment.

David was an amateur radio operator (W90C). He was active in building the repeater. David spoke with ham radio operators all over the world. He had bowled in many bowling leagues over the years. David enjoyed going out socializing with the community along with his wife, Ruth. He enjoyed facetiming with his grandchildren and children. David enjoyed watching the Green Bay Packers and Wisconsin Badgers. He was known to drop everything to help tow someone out of a ditch or fix a broken water line.

David is survived by his wife, Ruth; a daughter, Jennifer (Mike), Shoreview, Minnesota; a son, James (Jaimie), Fall River, Wisconsin; two grandchildren, Easton and Emmie; two sisters, Gail, Bessemer Township, and Susan (Daniel), Anvil; his brother-in-law, Gerald (Bea) Nowak, Milwaukee; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins; other relatives; and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Keith; a sister, Janet; four brothers-in-law, Thomas, Alan, Randy and Ed; two sisters-in-law, Diane and Diane; and two nephews, Timothy and Michael.

The family will greet relatives and friends on Wednesday, Feb. 26, from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m., at All Saints Lutheran Church, 1202 Putnam St., in Wakefield.

A memorial service will follow the visitation at 11 a.m., with the Rev. Brittany Barkus and Rev. Ted Trudgeon officiating.

A luncheon will be served at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9084, 107 E. U.S. 2 in Wakefield, immediately following the service.

Jerald Rocco, owner and manager of Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., Wakefield, is assisting the family with arrangements. To send online condolences or to share a memory go to lakesidememorialchapel.com.