Peggy L. Johnson

With a warm, loving heart, Peggy Lorraine Johnson lived a life rich in faith, family, and friends. Peggy was smart and creative, energetic, strong, and witty. Welcoming each day as a gift to be treasured, Peggy confidently faced life's challenges and never hesitated to share her time and talents in the service of others. Whether pouring her love into a delicious home-cooked meal, supporting her children's endeavors and her husband's business, traveling the country, or spoiling her pets, Peggy led with her heart and in so doing proved a powerful role model for all who were blessed to know her. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, Peggy will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.

Despite the obvious gloom of the Great Depression,1930 beheld a power of hope that undulated in the hearts of many. With a natural drive to not just endure but thrive in the face of uncertainty, the nation continued to put one foot in front of the other to build a better future. Nowhere was there a greater sense of hope than in the home of Ralph and Lorraine (Wheeler) Dunaway, as they welcomed their daughter Peggy to their family on May 21, 1932, in Battle Creek, Michigan.

Peggy grew up in Battle Creek, where her father worked at Kellogg's Corporation and her mother was a homemaker. Her younger brother Jerome was seven years younger, and the age difference kept them from being very close. As a child, Peggy enjoyed summers at Interlochen Fine Arts Camp, playing the violin and ice skating in the winter. She and her family were also members of a Baptist church.

After attending a one-room schoolhouse during her elementary school years, Peggy attended Battlecreek Lakeview High School. During her high school years, Peggy served as the editor of her school yearbook and worked on the school's newspaper, "The Log." She was also in the high school orchestra and voted into the "BigWheels" group for all her contributions to the school.

Peggy continued her schooling at Michigan State University, where she was a home economics major. While playing in the MSU orchestra, Peggy first met her husband-to-be, fellow student Carl Johnson. Peggy played first violin section, and Carl was the concert master. Following a three-month courtship, the happy couple married on December 27, 1952, in Battle Creek.

The newlyweds honeymooned at Greenfield Village in Dearborn, Michigan, before moving into a trailer in MSU's married housing. Carl gave his bride a collie dog as a wedding present. Unfortunately, the dog often made a mess of their home while they were in their college classes. Peggy became a military wife when Carl served as an Army officer after college ROTC, living at Fort Dix in New Jersey and at Fort Benning in Georgia.

Early in their marriage, Peggy worked at Lear Corporation and at Butterworth Orthopedic Clinic, and later she served as Carl's secretary in his new law practice. She worked from home and was a homemaker who ensured her three children, Debbie, Sherman, and Kristeen, were well-loved and supported. An incredible cook and baker, Peggy used her home economics training to hone her specialties, including Swedish Rye Bread, Swedish coffee cake, and strawberry pie. Sunday and holiday meals were amazing. She made a Swedish smorgasbord board and sent everyone home with a box of cookies.

Peggy was also quick to volunteer at church, in the library, at the food pantry, and at vacation bible school, as well as at her kids' school for hot dog day and pizza day, and as a classroom helper. She was also a Camp Fire Girls leader. Traveling with her family was also a favorite way to spend time. Over the years, the family vacationed in Northern Michigan: Traverse City, Mackinac Island (many stays at the Grand Hotel), and traveled out West to the Rocky Mountains, Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, Zion, Bryce Canyon, Grand Canyon, Canyon Lands, and Arches. She also enjoyed trips to the Smoky Mountains and Florida. Peggy visited West Point with her husband and said she "felt very safe."

As her children became adults, Peggy enjoyed making many trips to Amish Acres in Nappanee, Indiana, to have dinner with her son and his family. Peggy and Carl also loved going out to eat at their favorite Michigan restaurants, including The Butler in Saugatuck, Bluebird of Leland, Audie's Restaurant in Mackinaw City, and Duba's in Grand Rapids, MI. For a special treat, she and Carl would take their dog, Casey, for rides in the family van to get ice cream at House of Flavors in Ludington.

A woman who found joy in many things, Peggy continued to enjoy music, especially classical, pop, big band, and hymns. She and her husband had season tickets to the symphony, opera, and many other such events. Peggy also loved following professional tennis and the players, working on crossword puzzles, cooking, and painting country-themed art. In quiet times, she liked to read her. Her favorite book was To Kill A Mockingbird, and her favorite author was John Grisham. Peggy was an animal lover who enjoyed spoiling the family dogs, Koko, Casey, Storm, Francis and Sam the cat, the family companions. Peggy's many treasures included her Grandma Wheeler's bible, her eagle figurine, a carving from an Iranian family friend, china sets, antique tea cups, the pink goblets that were a wedding gift, and other antique dishes.

As we celebrate Peggy's beautiful life, may we find much comfort in our many wonderful memories. May we also find comfort in carrying Peggy's legacy of faith, hope, and love forward. In each moment we choose grace, gratitude, and generosity, enjoy making one of Peggy's recipes, curl up with a good book, take an adventure with our loved ones, spoil our pets, listen to our favorite songs, and make a special ice-cream run, we keep Peggy's memory alive and inspiring others as she so inspired each of us.

Mrs. Peggy L. Johnson [Dunaway], age 93, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 8, 2026.

She was born in the spring of 1932 to the late Ralph and Lorraine Dunaway in Battle Creek, MI.

Along with her parents, Peggy is preceded in death by her husband of over 60 years, Carl, as well as by her son, Sherman, and her brother, Jerome Dunaway.

Peggy is survived by her daughters, Debbie and Edward Vander Wall, Kristeen and Bob Ralston, and daughter-in-law Carol Johnson, as well as by her grandchildren, Mark (Rachel) Vander Wall, Jared Johnson, David (Anne) Johnson, Lauren Johnson, Avrielle Ralston, and eleven great-grandchildren.

Peggy was an active and engaged member of First Evangelical Covenant Church.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday at 1PM at First Evangelical Covenant Church (1933 Tremont Blvd. NW, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49504). Friends may meet the family at the church for one hour prior to the service.

Peggy will be laid to rest next to Carl in Greenwood Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Assisted Living at Rose Garden (3391 Prairie St. SW, Grandville, Michigan 49418).

To leave a memory, read Peggy's life story or sign the online guestbook, please visit www.heritagelifestory.com.