January 20, 1933 – August 18, 2024
Wife of Rev. Richard E. Johns, Marlene Anne (Bassett) Johns, age 91 of Lakeland, FL, Lakeview, MI, formerly of Lansing, MI, passed away on August 18, 2024. She was born on January 20, 1933, in Aurora, IL, and had been a resident of Lansing, MI for 16 years moving to Lakeview, MI (50+ years), and Lakeland, FL (28 years) in retirement. She attended North Central College in Naperville, Illinois. She was a teacher, actively involved in church leadership by the side of her husband, The Reverend Richard E. Johns’ 42-year Ministerial Career. She was actively involved through the United Methodist Women, the Church Choirs, Music Director of several choral and bell choirs, and Pre-School Program director and teacher. She was a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was a true woman of faith and a disciple of Christ who blessed everyone that came across her path.
Surviving are her 5 children, Richard Johns of Lakeland, FL, Douglas (Cathy) Johns of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Dianne Smith of Pompano Beach, FL, Jodi (Mark) Sullivant of Hendersonville, NC, and Jill (Emmanuel) Sikaundi of Kalamazoo; 5 grandchildren, Ashley (Mike) Rosa of Cincinnati, OH, Blake (Jessica) Johns of Lexington, SC, Mackenzie Sullivant of Oxford, OH, Jason Sikaundi, and Caleb Sikaundi; 4 great-grandchildren, Emerson Rosa, Jack Rosa, Charlotte Johns, and Sophie Johns; 2 sisters, Donna Heck of Lakeland, FL, and Carol (Bruce) Panse of Holland, MI; and nieces and nephews.
Religious memorial services were conducted by the Rev. Douglas M. Johns at Grace United Methodist Church in Lansing.
Memorial contributions may be made to The Johns/Bassett Scholarship Fund for Seminary Students. Please make checks payable to either: Grace United Methodist Church, 1900 Boston Blvd., Lansing, MI 48910 or United Methodist Foundation of Michigan, 3347 Eagle Run Dr. NE, Suite B, Grand Rapids, MI 49525. *Earmarked for Johns/Bassett Scholarship Fund.
Arrangements by the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel.
Last Updated on September 9, 2024