SYRACUSE — Kenneth D. “Kenny” Johnson, 79, Syracuse, passed away at 5:25 a.m. Sunday, July 8, 2018, at Miller’s Merry Manor, Syracuse.
He was born Nov. 6, 1938, in Milford Junction, to Noble and Hazel Adams Johnson.
He was a lifetime Milford/Syracuse area resident and attended Milford High School. He was married on April 8, 1960, in Milford, to Shirley A. Knisley, who preceded him in death on July 5, 2018.
He was formerly employed at Weatherhead/Dana Corp., Syracuse, for 25 years and retired from Hoosier Fire Equipment, Valparaiso, after 25 years.
He was a fireman on the Syracuse Fire Department for 33 years and served as the fire chief for three of those years. He served on the Syracuse Town Council for eight years and the Indiana Alcoholic Beverage & Tobacco Commission for 10 years.
He is survived by his daughter, Kristi (Antonio) Mannella, Miami; son, Scott Johnson, Ligonier; three grandchildren; and a brother, Darrell Johnson, Yuma, Ariz.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; and two sisters, Carolyn Welker and Barbara Place.
Cremation will take place at Cremation Services of Kosciusko County, Warsaw.
A celebration of life gathering for Kenneth and Shirley Johnson will be from 2 to 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 3, at Owen Family Funeral Home, 1001 S. Huntington St., Syracuse.
A funeral procession will leave Owen Family Funeral Home at 11:45 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 4. A graveside service will follow at noon Saturday in Syracuse Cemetery, with Pastor Brad Cox of Wawasee Lakeside Chapel officiating.
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Memorials to the Syracuse Fire Department, 8138 E. McClintic Road, Syracuse, IN 46567.
To send condolences to the family in Mr. Johnson’s memory, visit www.owenfamilyfuneralhome.com.
