Lawrence Johnson
April 16, 1933 – November 17, 2021
April 16, 1933 – November 17, 2021
Lawrence “Larry” Johnson of Garden, Michigan, died on Wednesday, November 17, 2021, at the Bishop Noa Home in Escanaba, where he had been a resident since August.
Larry was born on April 16, 1933, in Chicago, Illinois, the first child of Lawrence and Florence Johnson. He had one sister, Arlene (Havel) of Siletz, Oregon.
He attended St. Priscilla Grade School and St. Joseph High School in Westmont, Illinois. Responding to a call to religious life, he entered the Franciscan community, pursuing studies in philosophy at Our Lady of Angels Seminary in Cleveland, Ohio, and theology at St. Joseph Seminary in Teutopolis, Illinois. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1960.
Larry continued his academic formation with graduate studies in music at DePaul University, in sacramental theology at the Institut Catholique in Paris, and in liturgical studies at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. He later served on the faculty of both Catholic Theological Union in Chicago and The Catholic University of America.
In 1975, he married Marlene Winter in Wilmington, Delaware, beginning a new chapter of shared life and vocation.
Throughout his distinguished career, Larry served the Church with dedication and insight. He was liturgy director for the Diocese of Wilmington, executive secretary of the Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions in Washington, D.C., and general editor of Pastoral Press. A respected scholar, he authored, edited, and translated numerous books and monographs, including the four-volume Worship in the Early Church: An Anthology of Historical Sources.
In July 2002, Larry and Marlene settled along the northern shore of Lake Michigan, where they made their home. In these later years, he found joy in visiting his three grandchildren, playing the piano, reading extensively—especially on World War II—participating in his men’s discussion group, and spending quiet hours on the porch, taking in the beauty of the surrounding landscape. He remained actively engaged in his church community, offering his gifts in generous and varied ways.
Larry’s life was marked by deep faith, intellectual curiosity, and a generous spirit. Those who knew him were enriched by his wisdom, reverence, and willingness to share his knowledge. He will be deeply missed by all who loved him.
He is survived by his wife, Marlene; his daughter, Marisa (Keith) Ives of Clarksville, Maryland; and his three grandchildren, Isabelle, Lillian, and Joshua.
The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on November 22, 2021, at St. John’s Church in Garden, Michigan.
He attended St. Priscilla Grade School and St. Joseph High School in Westmont, Illinois. Responding to a call to religious life, he entered the Franciscan community, pursuing studies in philosophy at Our Lady of Angels Seminary in Cleveland, Ohio, and theology at St. Joseph Seminary in Teutopolis, Illinois. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1960.
Larry continued his academic formation with graduate studies in music at DePaul University, in sacramental theology at the Institut Catholique in Paris, and in liturgical studies at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. He later served on the faculty of both Catholic Theological Union in Chicago and The Catholic University of America.
In 1975, he married Marlene Winter in Wilmington, Delaware, beginning a new chapter of shared life and vocation.
Throughout his distinguished career, Larry served the Church with dedication and insight. He was liturgy director for the Diocese of Wilmington, executive secretary of the Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions in Washington, D.C., and general editor of Pastoral Press. A respected scholar, he authored, edited, and translated numerous books and monographs, including the four-volume Worship in the Early Church: An Anthology of Historical Sources.
In July 2002, Larry and Marlene settled along the northern shore of Lake Michigan, where they made their home. In these later years, he found joy in visiting his three grandchildren, playing the piano, reading extensively—especially on World War II—participating in his men’s discussion group, and spending quiet hours on the porch, taking in the beauty of the surrounding landscape. He remained actively engaged in his church community, offering his gifts in generous and varied ways.
Larry’s life was marked by deep faith, intellectual curiosity, and a generous spirit. Those who knew him were enriched by his wisdom, reverence, and willingness to share his knowledge. He will be deeply missed by all who loved him.
He is survived by his wife, Marlene; his daughter, Marisa (Keith) Ives of Clarksville, Maryland; and his three grandchildren, Isabelle, Lillian, and Joshua.
The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on November 22, 2021, at St. John’s Church in Garden, Michigan.