Obituary of Michael Wayne Johnson

Michael Wayne Johnson, age 54, beloved son, brother, uncle, and friend passed away on May 8, 2015 following a brief hospitalization. Mike was born on September 17, 1960 in Dallas, TX and lived for more than 50 years in Wisconsin Rapids. He was a 1979 graduate of Lincoln High School; he attended the Mid-State Technical College for woodworking and also Fox Valley Technical College for culinary training. He was employed by the Vintage Restaurant and the Hardwood Café in Wisconsin Rapids. He also worked as a long distance truck driver, concession stand host for the Wisconsin Rapids Softball League and was an employee of Walmart. The work that brought him the most enjoyment was for his dear friend Mike Barrett in support of appearances as a DJ at Lances' Never Inn and other local venues. Mike was best known for his gentle nature and a sunny disposition. His pastimes included visiting friends at Alice and Joe Wallner's coffee shop From the Ground Up. He was a member of the Grassroots Cribbage League and several area dart teams. Mike hid an astonishingly strong mathematical skill and superb memory to the peril of those who competed against him. Mike is survived by his mother, Betty L. Johnson, a former instructor at Mid-State Technical College now residing in Tucson, AZ; his sister, Kathryn A. DiMaggio, living in Bainbridge Island, WA; his brother, Stephen E. Johnson, living in Kents Store, Virginia; and by his former wife, Nancy (Ciszewski) Johnson. He was preceded in death by his father, Wayne E. Johnson, who was Director of Industrial Engineering at Consolidated Papers for many years. A celebration of Michael Wayne Johnson's life will be held later this summer at 1:00 P.M. on Friday, August 7, 2015 at Herman-Taylor Funeral Home in Wisconsin Rapids. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made in his honor at the South Wood County Humane Society http://www.swchs.com/donations.asp.