Susanna Antcliff

With a natural gift for serving others and a deep desire to serve God, Susanna Antcliff used her natural hospitality and artistic gifts to serve her family and community well. Always thinking of others before herself, Sue never sought attention. She preferred to generously and quietly offer her time and talents to help others. Always friendly, Sue possessed a wonderful laugh. A deeply compassionate woman, she listened with her heart, made others feel at home, and was easy to talk to. An inspiration to all who knew her, Sue will long be remembered by those she so dearly loved and served.

1948 proved to be a year of continued celebration of the end of World War II. As America's heroes eagerly returned home, a renewed spirit and hope filled the air. American prosperity grew like never before in our history. The Greatest Generation soon proliferated, ushering in the Baby Boomer era. The cause for celebration grew even greater for Sidney and Margaret (Doddington) Johnson as they welcomed their daughter Susanna Nellie into their family on November 15 in Grand Haven, Michigan.

The youngest of 7 children in the Johnson family, Susanna was quite spoiled and doted on by everyone. Growing up on a farm, Sue loved playing outside. Her chores mainly involved helping her mom, either inside or in the garden. She also enjoyed music and learned to play the piano. The family was very involved with Evangel Hall, which later became Northwest Gospel Hall, where they regularly attended and participated in the church. These years in the church fostered Sue's deep faith in her Lord and Savior. She attended Lily School, a one-room schoolhouse near Coopersville, and was a student when the schools consolidated into Coopersville Schools.

Shortly after the family moved to Grand Rapids, Sue began attending Union High School, and her mother passed away. The difficult loss left an indelible mark on Sue, inspiring her to cherish every moment she shared with her loved ones.

After graduating from Union High School, Sue first worked at Label Tape before beginning a long career at Amway, doing both mail and factory work over the years. She enjoyed her coworkers and was naturally quick to help plan any gatherings or social events. She also occasionally found additional work doing housekeeping in Ada.

While attending a Jack VanImpe Crusade, a minister introduced Sue to Ronald Antcliff, her future husband. The spark they felt upon meeting grew over time, and the couple eventually married.

Sue and Ron spent most of their working years living in Lowell, where Sue's flair for decorating transformed the house into a home. A great cook, Sue loved hosting large family events and regularly entertained family and friends. For those who knew her best, it quickly became clear that even when they declared they weren't "coming for dinner," they would likely get a meal. Everything she made was delicious. Whether making homemade baked beans, chicken and dumplings, or her famous pies and fudge brownies, Sue infused everything with love.

In addition to attending many of their nieces and nephews' events and many family gatherings, Sue and Ron enjoyed camping. Sue loved the water and taking long walks, especially with her beloved poodles, first Sandy Bootsie, then Cookie, and Tootsie. During their early years of marriage, Sue and Ron were active members at Trinity Baptist before becoming longtime active members at First Baptist Church in Lowell. Sue occasionally played the organ and was regularly involved in Sunday School and the AWANA program. She loved to sing and often helped with the church's floral decorations. For many years, she also made artificial pieces for special events, such as weddings. And Ron was right there helping her set them up and take them back down. She continued using her gifts when they attended Calvary Church where she helped with costumes for the festival of lights.

In 2000, Sue and Ron built a home near Lakeview, with access to Townline Lake, and found their faith community in Chippewa Hills Baptist Church. Over the last eight years, health challenges limited Sue's life. As these challenges grew more difficult more recently, we rejoice that she is in heaven.

As we celebrate Sue's life, may we find much comfort in our many treasured memories. May we also find comfort in the honor of carrying her legacy of faith, hope, and love forward. In each moment we lead with our hearts, choose faith over fear, relish time with loved ones, freely give our gifts in service of others, enjoy a walk with our beloveds, and lift our voices in joyful song, we keep Sue's beautiful memory alive and inspiring others as she so inspired each of us.

Susanna Nellie Antcliff, age 77, of Lakeview, Michigan, went home to heaven on January 6, 2026.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Margaret (Doddington) and Sidney Johnson; stepmother, Claire Dykstra Johnson; her brothers, John Mark Johnson and Andrew Johnson; her sister, Dorcas Johnson; and her brothers-in-law, brother-in-laws Mike (Eliza) Antcliff, Clint (Mert) Antcliff, and Raymond (Diane) Antcliff; sister-in-law Carol (Arthur) Selby.

She is survived by her husband of 48 years, Ronald; her brothers and sisters-in-law, Timothy and Hazel Johnson, Joseph and Sheila Johnson; sister and brother-in-law Grace and Dave Marvin; her sisters-in-law Bev (Charles) Marvin, Eve (Scott) Pulcifer, Rose Antcliff, Janet (Jerry) Edwards, Bonnie Livermore; brother-in-laws Gary (Susan) Antcliff, Dan Antcliff, John (Mary Jo) Antcliff, Mark (Cheryl) Jensen; several nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews; as well as her extended step-family.

Many thanks to those who provided comfort and care for Susanna over the past 4 years in her home, hospitals, and nursing facilities.

The service to remember and celebrate Sue's life will be held on Friday, January 9, 2026, at 11 AM at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home - Van Strien Creston Chapel. Friends are invited to visit with her family beginning at 10 AM, and for a time immediately following the service. Interment will follow in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens. For those who wish, memorial donations to Baptist Mid-Missions are appreciated. To read more about Sue, to share a memory or photo, or to sign her guestbook, visit www.heritagelifestory.com.