Bernice Marie Johnston

Our beloved mother, Bernice “Bea aka Bunny” Johnston, passed away peacefully on August 18, 2025 at 98 years old, surrounded by her family. She was born in Detroit, Michigan on March 29, 1927 to Arthur and Tressa (Bauder) Grof. On September 22, 1945, she married her loving husband Arnold “Bud” Johnston.

“Bea” was a past member of Trinity Lutheran Church for 20 years and served as church secretary for 4 years, and later attended Cornerstone Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Brighton. She enjoyed and was very proud of the 25 years she spent working for the Red Cross, first as a volunteer and then as Chariman of Red Cross Volunteers at McPherson Hospital in Howell. To her family and friends, she was known as the “Cookie Lady’, she loved baking and her brownies were her specialty. She also enjoyed playing the organ, reading and time spent with people and family.

She is survived by her children. Kathleen Wagner and her husband Jerry and Garry Johnston and his wife Maria; her six grandchildren Nanette Wagner (John), Karrie Owen (Carl), Heidi Durbin, Greg Johnston, Amy Risher (Tony)and Bryan Johnston (Julie); 14 great grandchildren, Chad and Wes Leonard, Tyler, Ella, Trey and Molly Kate Durbin, Austin (Niki) and Ashlynn Johnston, Blayne, Teagan, Mireya and Brody Risher and Adie and Troy Johnston; one great great-grandson Callum Johnston; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband of almost 66 years “Bud”, her parents, her sister Ardis Erickson and one brother Raymond Grof.

A Celebration of her Life will be held on Friday, August 22, 2025 at 11:00am at Cornerstone Evangelical Lutheran Church, 9455 Hilton Rd., Brighton, MI 48114. The family will receive friends from 10:00am until time of the service. There will be a luncheon immediately following the service.

In honor of “Bea” memorial contributions may be made to the American Red Cross. Please visit her personal webpage at www.sharpfuneralhomes.com to sign the guestbook and leave a memory.