Former Wayland elementary physical education teacher Janet Leslie (White) Johnson,71, died Tuesday, Dec. 13, at her home in Middleville.
Born March 26, 1951, in Kenton, Ohio, she was the daughter of Betty (Philp) and Bob White. Janet grew up in Middleville, graduating in the top ten in 1969. She went on to graduate Magna Cum Laude from Western Michigan University in three years with a bachelor of science degree.
Her teaching career began on the east side of the state, before she returned to Middleville and settled into Wayland Union Schools as an elementary P.E. teacher. Another love, sport inherent from her father, drove her to touch thousands of students, implementing lesson plans far ahead of their time.
Janet transitioned into the classroom, becoming a fixture at Pine Street Elementary from hersixth grade classroom. A lifelong love of reading fueled a classroom where an author visit surprised no one, and even a trip to Wyoming on the trail of dinosaur bones was not out of the question.
Mrs. Johnson cherished retirement, reading upwards of four hours a day, watching sports, enjoying her friends, being a grandmother, and ordering things “that were just delivered.”
Janet was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Philip. She is survived by her sons, Philip (Melissa) Johnson, Timothy (Amanda) Johnson; grandchildren Lillien Weatherell, Sara Johnson, Andrew Johnson, Rosaleen Johnson, Lincoln Johnson; great-granddaughter Emilia Villarreal; siblings Rob (Dorane) White, Gary (Kathy) White, Tracy (Greg) Hindenach as well as cousins, numerous nieces and nephews and their families.
Services were held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 21, in Middleville with Pastor Tony Shumaker officiating. Interment was in Mount Hope Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Thornapple Kellogg Community Library.
This is very sad news, indeed. Janet was one of the finest teachers to ever grace the halls of Wayland schools.
My boys had her for PE, and as a gymnastics instructor through Community Education from their earliest years (3 and 5 years old).
She remembered most everyone by name, parents and students alike. Her devotion to her calling as a teacher was truly remarkable and a gift to all her kids.
My deepest condolences go out to her family, and to her boys to whom she was devoted.
Rest in peace, dear friend and teacher.