Welcome Arlene (Humbarger) Johnson

Welcome Arlene Johnson born December 17, 1927 loving wife and mother, passed away Tuesday August 28, 2018.

Welcome was the daughter of Harley and Effie (Miles) Humbarger. Welcome was the eldest of four siblings, sisters Rowena, Rita, and brother Don Humbarger. Welcome was raised in Mount Morris and later moved to Clio, Michigan. Welcome loved her children and family. She enjoyed tending to her flower and vegetable gardens, along with feeding the birds and her fish in her small pond. She won many ribbons in the county fair for her canning and baking skills.

Welcome was married to Gordon Hollister in 1945 and moved to a beautiful farm near Petoskey, Michigan. After the loss of Gordon, Welcome married Fred Douglas Johnson in 1959. Welcome had nine children Buck (Arlene) Hollister, Patience Hollister, Caroline Winney Wilson, Colleen (Doug) Bain, Chris (Diane) Johnson, Frank Johnson, Melanie (Ron) Keefer, Brian Johnson, and Alane (Marty) Jones; fifteen grandchildren; and sixteen great-grandchildren.

Welcome and Fred ran a Pallet Mill that employed many neighbors until the early 70’s. She then went to work for Michigan Maple Block where she was known for her craftsmanship and strong work ethic. She retired at the age of 69 ½, still full of energy she worked for the Friendship Center of Emmet County.

You always knew you were welcome at Welcome’s with the warmth of home, smell of coffee and cookies, and the slap of Scrabble pieces. Welcome loved her cats and “Twiggy” ruled the roost as her favorite.  Welcome was a faithful follower of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior through the Catholic church of St. Francis Xavier in Petoskey and St Augustine’s of Boyne Falls. Her funeral will be at 11:00 a.m., Friday, August 31st at St. Augustine’s Church Boyne Falls with a one hour visitation prior to the service.

Friends and family wishing to make a charitable donation are asked to please consider the Friendship Center of Emmet County.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Welcome Arlene (Humbarger) Johnson, please visit our floral store.