Murray Ellis Johnson Jr, age 85 of Waupaca, WI passed away on Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at Wisconsin Veterans Home in King.
Murray was born in Forestville, Ohio on December 5, 1930. He attended Horace Mann High School in Gary, Indiana; University of Notre Dame, and University of Cincinnati where he graduated in 1955. He was a football halfback on both university teams and the Fifth Army team. Murray was in the U.S. Army as a First Lt. at Ft. Bliss in El Paso, Texas. Murray was a member of St. Mary Magdalene in Waupaca and of the Notre Dame Monogram club. Murray was the founder of the youth football program for the Chicago Archdiocese Catholic Youth Program. He spent many years coaching football, basketball and little league baseball in South Holland, IL. His greatest joys were children, family and sports. After spending many summers on the Chain O Lakes, the Johnson family made Waupaca their permanent home in 1982.
Murray is survived by his wife, Nancy, of 64 years; his children; Murray III of Champagne, Illinois; Raymond R (Dee Untch) of Marquette, Michigan; Jay M (Rosemary) of Bedford, Texas; Pamela J of Chicago, Illinois; Robert B of Oak Park, Illinois and Christine M Hamm (Joe) of Waupaca, Wisconsin; 14 grandchildren: Darcy Schneider (Jake), Ryan Johnson, Brendan Johnson, Jeremy Johnson, Rachel Johnson, Michael Johnson, Kelsey Johnson, Hannah Johnson, Samantha Hamm, Anjela Hamm, Jessica Hamm, Daniel Johnson, Andrew Johnson, and Brett Johnson. He is preceded in death by sisters, Janet Salmon, Lois Whitsel, Barbara Nevil and his parents, Murray Sr. and Helen Johnson, Raymond and Elda Labate, and brother-in-law Charles Labate.
The family would like to thank the entire staff of the Wisconsin Veterans home for their wonderful and loving care, especially the 2nd floor nurses of MacArthur Hall.
There was a private family gathering on Saturday, January 23. There will be a memorial mass service and Military Graveside services at a later date. Holly Funeral Home in Waupaca is assisting the family with arrangements.