Donald "Dunco" Johnson, 80, of Greenland, MI passed away peacefully while surrounded by his family on March 25, 2012 after a courageous 13-month battle with glioblastoma.

Donald was born on November 10, 1931 in Negaunee to parents Eino and Mary (Anderson) Johnson. He attended Mass High School, graduating with the Class of 1949. After graduation, he worked in Detroit and Milwaukee until entering the United States Marine Corps, where he served honorably from 1952-1954. He then went on to work at the White Pine Copper Mine from 1954 until his retirement in 1993. Donald married Helen Kemppainen on September 3, 1955 in Mass City.

He loved spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and enjoyed participating in bowling and golf leagues. Donald was a past member of the Rockland American Legion, and after his retirement, he and Helen wintered in Lake Havasu, Arizona.

Donald is survived by his wife, Helen; children, Carol (Roman) Aleknavicius, Diane (Scott) Weisinger, Jerry (Kelly) Johnson, and Jim (Sue) Johnson; grandchildren, Jason (Nicole) Aleknavicius, Adam (Jenni) Aleknavicius, Carrie (Jeff) Yanda, Nicole (Barry) Rubin, Megan (Mike) Miller, Danielle Smallegan, Brook Johnson, Brittany Johnson, Sam Johnson and 12 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his siblings, Mary Ann Rogers, Ernest (Marlene) Johnson, Ellen Mae Arvo, Betty (Andrew) Martin, Alice (Norman) Weisinger, William (Dorothy) Johnson and Barbara Kemppainen; sister-in-law Florence (Lawrence) Kangas; brother-in-law Roy (Veronica) Kemppainen, and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Eino and Mary; an infant sister, Bernice; father-in-law, Edward Kemppainen; mother-in-law, Aili Mattson; and brothers-in-law Ben Kemppainen, Leon Rogers and Donald Arvo.

A Memorial Service for Donald will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, March 30, 2012 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Mass City, with Pastor Julie Belew officiating. Family will greet guests from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service.