Obituary of Larry Johnson

Larry "Duck" Johnson January 31, 1954-October 11, 2007 Larry Johnson, age 53, of Monroe passed from this world at 1:42pm, Thursday, October 11, 2007 at Mercy Memorial Hospital. Friends may gather on Tuesday October 16,2007 from 9:00 A.M. until Noon at the Merkle Funeral Home 2442 North Monroe Street, Frenchtown Township (734) 384-5185. A Family Hour will be held from Noon until funeral services at 1:00pm. A Home-Going Celebration will be held at 1:00 P.M. with the Rev. Alfred Overstreet of Al Overstreet Evangelistic Ministries and Rev. Horace Johnson, his brother, of Springfield Baptist Church co-officiating. Procession and burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park, LaSalle. Larry was born on January 31, 1954 in Macon, Georgia the son of Cecil Wilder and Ethel Mae (Davis) Johnson. He married Sharon McLendon in Toledo, Ohio on June 21, 1975. For the past 15 years he has made his home with his fiancé, Tara Dye. Larry attended Christ Love Fellowship Church, New Faith Temple, and Second Baptist Church both of Monroe. He enjoyed barbecuing, frying chicken, and feeding any available hungry mouth. He had a true love for people and for his friends. Larry also enjoyed fishing. Larry worked in the factory for many years at Detroit Stoker of Monroe. Unfortunately, due to health reasons he was forced to take a medical retirement in 1998. Larry is survived by a loving family including his mother: Ethel Mae; seven children: Toi Laryse (Jason) Fisher of Holland, Ohio, Larry Johnson Jr. of Toledo, Ohio, Zina Pippens, Cicly Pippens, Alonzo Clay Pippens, and Cecil Pippens, and Dillon Michael all of Monroe; seven brothers: Cecil J. (Edith) Johnson of Pontiac, Horace C. (Barbara) Johnson of Macon, Georgia, Richard (Gloria) Johnson of Westland, Michigan, Willie Johnson, Aaron Calvin Johnson, Jesse Lee (Nora) Johnson, Andrew Tyrone (Connie) Johnson all of Monroe; five sisters: Betty J. Smith of Rochester, New York, Diane Allen of Detroit, Michigan, Brenda Johnson of Ypsilanti, Michigan, Ethel Jean Johnson of Monroe, Margaret Elaine Johnson of Monroe; a best friend, Brenda "BK" Hoye; a host of grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, and special friends. Sadly, Larry, was preceded in death by his father: Cecil Wilder Johnson in 1977; all of his grandparents; and a beloved brother Otis Benjamin Johnson. Those desiring may make memorial donations to the wishes of the family.