Obituary for Tammy Johnson
Tammy Lynn (Keller) Johnson
Tammy was born on August 12, 1967, in Manistique, Michigan, to Frank (Tom, Bud) and Phyllis (Peggy) (Irwin) Keller. She grew up in Gould City, MI, and attended Engadine Consolidated Schools, a member of the class of 1985 with an astounding class size of 26. Tammy was also a member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of the Chippewa Indians.
Tammy spent wonderful summers with her mom camping at the beach at Simmons Woods (the Steak Fry). They spent many an afternoon playing games, doing puzzles, crafts, and generally enjoying themselves. Tammy loved playing word games and was more comfortable doing it with the board showing the words upside down after years of playing with her mom. Frank was working but came on down to spend time with them when he was home.
The years went by, and Tammy went out to California to make her way into the world after graduation. She survived the San Francisco earthquake of 1989, though the bottle of Margarita Mix over the dryer did not. Tammy being Tammy, she set about taking the dryer apart and cleaning it out before putting it back together.
After a few years and many great friendships, she decided it was time to move back to Michigan. She lived in Sault Ste. Marie for about two years and survived a truly epic snowfall and then moved down to Lansing. She joined the Jaycees and through that group met this guy from Ionia. Bill Johnson was his name, and they hit it off. He was from Ionia, but that was okay. They went out on a couple of dates and then she decided to defend the plate as catcher of the Jaycee Softball Team. The dude who tried to take her out, was called out, but her ankle was a victim. So Bill came on over and helped take care of Tammy further cementing a great relationship. By Christmas of that year, (1996) Bill proposed and Tammy said yes. They got married on June 21, 1997, on Frank and Peg’s 50th anniversary.
The happy couple moved to Okemos, then Bath, had a wonderful son Thomas, and then finally to Middleville. Tammy became a great housewife and mother, taking pride in her baking abilities, and her motherhood. She started up a cake and cookie baking and decorating business and shared her skills with many friends and family. As time moved on Tom showed talent in the theater and Bill and Tammy nurtured that and soon all became participants with the Thornapple Players. Tammy eventually became the chief costumer for the group and made many great friends while always making sure the players looked their best on stage. She even got to costume Bill (Lurch) and Tommy (Pugsley) together in The Addams Family.
She and her father had great times hunting through the years. She eventually got a bear hunting license a few years back. One of her proudest moments was when she got her bear, with an absolutely perfect shot. She also would use the venison meat in her famous mincemeat recipe that she could turn into awesome cookies or spectacular pies.
Tammy continued supporting her husband and son in their artistic and scholarly endeavors. The past couple years were spent more at home as many of us did. Further adventures were had when they could.
Of course, the most important part of the year was Christmas. Tammy loved Christmas and looked forward to decorating the house, participating in Christmas shows, and sharing her baking with friends and neighbors. Creating Marzipan was an all-time favorite, a family tradition she learned from her mother as a child.
Tammy was preceded in death by her mother and father, and her brother, Jeff (Carole) Keller. She is survived by her husband, William, son, Thomas, and her sister Vickie (Dan) Griggs and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be from 4-7 pm on Thursday, May 19, 2022 at Beeler-Gores Funeral Home in Middleville, where her memorial service will be conducted on Friday, May 20, 2022 at 1:00 PM. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial contributions may be made in memory of Tammy Johnson to the Thornapple Players P.O Box 514, Hastings, MI 49058. Please visit www.beelergoresfuneral.com to share a memory or to leave a condolence message for Tammy’s family.
Tammy was born on August 12, 1967, in Manistique, Michigan, to Frank (Tom, Bud) and Phyllis (Peggy) (Irwin) Keller. She grew up in Gould City, MI, and attended Engadine Consolidated Schools, a member of the class of 1985 with an astounding class size of 26. Tammy was also a member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of the Chippewa Indians.
Tammy spent wonderful summers with her mom camping at the beach at Simmons Woods (the Steak Fry). They spent many an afternoon playing games, doing puzzles, crafts, and generally enjoying themselves. Tammy loved playing word games and was more comfortable doing it with the board showing the words upside down after years of playing with her mom. Frank was working but came on down to spend time with them when he was home.
The years went by, and Tammy went out to California to make her way into the world after graduation. She survived the San Francisco earthquake of 1989, though the bottle of Margarita Mix over the dryer did not. Tammy being Tammy, she set about taking the dryer apart and cleaning it out before putting it back together.
After a few years and many great friendships, she decided it was time to move back to Michigan. She lived in Sault Ste. Marie for about two years and survived a truly epic snowfall and then moved down to Lansing. She joined the Jaycees and through that group met this guy from Ionia. Bill Johnson was his name, and they hit it off. He was from Ionia, but that was okay. They went out on a couple of dates and then she decided to defend the plate as catcher of the Jaycee Softball Team. The dude who tried to take her out, was called out, but her ankle was a victim. So Bill came on over and helped take care of Tammy further cementing a great relationship. By Christmas of that year, (1996) Bill proposed and Tammy said yes. They got married on June 21, 1997, on Frank and Peg’s 50th anniversary.
The happy couple moved to Okemos, then Bath, had a wonderful son Thomas, and then finally to Middleville. Tammy became a great housewife and mother, taking pride in her baking abilities, and her motherhood. She started up a cake and cookie baking and decorating business and shared her skills with many friends and family. As time moved on Tom showed talent in the theater and Bill and Tammy nurtured that and soon all became participants with the Thornapple Players. Tammy eventually became the chief costumer for the group and made many great friends while always making sure the players looked their best on stage. She even got to costume Bill (Lurch) and Tommy (Pugsley) together in The Addams Family.
She and her father had great times hunting through the years. She eventually got a bear hunting license a few years back. One of her proudest moments was when she got her bear, with an absolutely perfect shot. She also would use the venison meat in her famous mincemeat recipe that she could turn into awesome cookies or spectacular pies.
Tammy continued supporting her husband and son in their artistic and scholarly endeavors. The past couple years were spent more at home as many of us did. Further adventures were had when they could.
Of course, the most important part of the year was Christmas. Tammy loved Christmas and looked forward to decorating the house, participating in Christmas shows, and sharing her baking with friends and neighbors. Creating Marzipan was an all-time favorite, a family tradition she learned from her mother as a child.
Tammy was preceded in death by her mother and father, and her brother, Jeff (Carole) Keller. She is survived by her husband, William, son, Thomas, and her sister Vickie (Dan) Griggs and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be from 4-7 pm on Thursday, May 19, 2022 at Beeler-Gores Funeral Home in Middleville, where her memorial service will be conducted on Friday, May 20, 2022 at 1:00 PM. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial contributions may be made in memory of Tammy Johnson to the Thornapple Players P.O Box 514, Hastings, MI 49058. Please visit www.beelergoresfuneral.com to share a memory or to leave a condolence message for Tammy’s family.