Submitted by: Dan Rich

Mary Lou Johnson

Sept. 9, 1934 - June 6, 2007

South Bend Tribune 6/9/2007
GRANGER - Mary Lou Johnson, 72, of Birch Lake Drive, Granger, IN, passed away at 4:56 p.m. Wednesday, June 6, 2007, in Memorial Hospital after a long battle with breast cancer. She was born on September 9, 1934, in South Bend, to Schuyler C. and Mary Etta (Garrett) Houston. She graduated from Mishawaka High School in 1952 and married her high school sweetheart Roger "Bud" Johnson on October 5, 1957, in her parents home in Mishawaka. Mary Lou was preceded in death by her sister Phyllis Webb in 1992, and two brothers, Leonard J. Houston in 1933, and Kenneth C. Houston in 1989. Mary Lou is survived by Roger; her children, Diane (Mike) Vincek of South Lyon, MI, and Scott Allen (Kristine) Johnson of Granger , IN. Mary Lou adored her four grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Jared and Erin and Madeline. Also surviving are nieces and nephews, Douglas Webb M.D., Karen Smith, Kenneth Houston, Gail Houston, Amy Houston Walton, Marianne Houston Goodwin, Michael Houston, Joseph Houston, Caroline Flowers and Luanne Johnson.

She was known as "Mom" to many. Mary Lou was active in local community and volunteer organizations and served as three time past president for the Ladies of the Elks, Lodge #235, an eight year volunteer at Memorial Ladies Auxiliary. She volunteered at the Leighton Center and was the current vice president for the Sons of Norway Knute Rockne Chapter and a member of the Gals of "52" club. Both she and Bud are also members of the Ball State Fellows Society.

Services will be at 2 p.m. today in the Palmer Funeral Home, 2528 Mishawaka Ave., South Bend, IN 46615 where friends may call from 12:30 p.m. until service time. Rev. Bob Benner of Granger Missionary Church will officiate. Interment will take place in Riverview Cemetery, South Bend, IN. Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to the YWCA of St. Joseph County, 1102 S. Fellows Street, South Bend, IN 46601, or to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure, 5005 LBJ Fwy., Ste. 250, Dallas TX 75244 or to the charity of the donor's choice.