J. Herbert Johnson

J. Herbert Johnson, age 94 died on Saturday, July 22, 2023 in Tipp City, Ohio. He was born on November 11, 1928 in Chisago City, Minnesota to the late J. Ernest and Edith {Faust} Johnson. He is preceded in death by his parents, wife Rae Maye (Enders) Johnson who died in 2003, wife Joyce Victoria {Thomas} Johnson who died in 2021, siblings Paul A. Johnson and Margaret Bast. He graduated from Chisago City High School in 1946.

He is survived by his three children; Douglas D. (Alice) Johnson of Madison Heights, Michigan, Cynthia R. (Stewart) Hoerman of Canton, Michigan, and Daniel (Mary) Johnson of Holland, Michigan. He is also survived by ten grandchildren and two great grandchildren; Eva Bush (Larry), Ben Bush, Naomi Bush; Carrie Franklin (Nate), Kyle Johnson, Lucas Johnson, Derek Hoerman (Emily), Dana Hoerman, Darsi Haning (Jonathan), Nate Johnson, Gabe Johnson (Carmen), Claire Johnson.

He was an active member of the Zion Lutheran Church in Tipp City since moving there from Holland, Michigan in January 1980 along with his wife, Rae. He was a member of the Tipp City Rotary Club and was a Life Senior Member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). He was a Registered Professional Engineer in Pennsylvania. He played an active role in various activities in the Lutheran Church in Holland and Tipp City. He worked for 28 years at General Electric at different operations in the United States with 22 years spent at GE’s Hermetic Motor Department in Holland, Michigan. He joined A.O. Smith’s Electrical Products Company in Tipp City in 1979. He retired from A.O. Smith in 1994. He has numerous patents relating to electric motors. He has authored many technical papers on motors and has given a number of motor tutorials throughout the United States. He was a 1951 graduate of the University of Minnesota with degrees of Bachelor of Electrical Engineering and Bachelor of Science, both With Distinction. At the University of Minnesota he was inducted into the Engineering Honor Societies, Tau Beta Pi and Eta Kappa Nu. In addition, he was honored with membership in the elite Plumb Bob Society at the Institute of Technology of the University of Minnesota. After joining General Electric in 1951 he was assigned to the Advanced Engineering Program which he completed in 1952.

While living in Holland, Michigan he was the Chairman of the Planning Commission of Holland Charter Township and was responsible for the development of a long range plan for the Township and subsequent revision of the Township Zoning Ordinance. He was also a member of the Township Zoning Board of Appeals. He was a chairman of a committee responsible for the successful development of a $1.3 million Township water system and later the chairman of a committee responsible for the successful development of a $15 million Township wastewater system developed in conjunction with the city of Holland. He was also the chairman of the West Michigan Section of the IEEE.

Contributions can be made to the Memorial Fund at Zion Lutheran Church, 14 W. Walnut St., Tipp City or Ohio’s Hospice of Miami County, 3230 N. Co. Rd. 25A, Troy, Ohio 45371 in memory of J. Herbert Johnson.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM at the Zion Lutheran Church on Saturday, July 29, 2023 with Pastor Dale Schaefer officiating. Visitation with the family will be held prior to the service from 10:00-11:00 AM. Burial will follow at Maple Hill Cemetery, Tipp City. Arrangements have been entrusted to FRINGS AND BAYLIFF FUNERAL HOME, Tipp City. Online condolences may be expressed at www.fringsandbayliff.com.