Michael C. Johnson, a lifelong resident of Racine, Wisconsin, passed away on December 6, 2025, at Aurora Medical Center in Mount Pleasant, at the age of 79. Born on February 15, 1946, in Racine, he was the son of Claude and Marjorie Johnson.

A proud veteran, Michael served in the U.S. Army during the 1960s and was stationed in Germany. Upon returning to Racine, he dedicated himself to his community, serving as a police officer with the Racine Police Department for 28 years. His sense of duty and commitment to the safety and well-being of others were defining qualities throughout his career.  He was united in marriage to Gail Peters on August 27, 1999, where he embraced his role as a "father" and "grandfather" to Gail's children and grandchildren. Upon retiring from the police department, Michael, alongside his wife Gail, opened the Eagle Inn in Kansasville, WI. The bar, renowned for its Friday fish fry, became a beloved spot for locals and visitors alike. After selling the business several years later, Michael enjoyed a quieter retirement, cherishing time spent with family and friends. However, he remained drawn to the camaraderie of bar patrons and could often be found at Dickie's Bar, where friends became family. In his free time, Michael enjoyed boating and fishing, gaming on his computer or PlayStation, and always welcomed a cold drink with his friends, many of whom were like family. Those who knew Mike remember him for his kindness, his sharp sense of humor, and his ability to make people laugh, even through his recent hospital stay, he was joking with the nurses and doctors.

Michael is survived by his stepdaughters, Amy Vanderhoef and Kim (Nate) Dexter, stepson Brian Peters, and seven granddaughters:  Bronte (Connor) Krieger, Mackenzie (Dyllan) Harlow, Madalyn Vanderhoef, Samantha Vanderhoef, Sydney Dexter, Tori Dexter, and Riley Dexter.  Michael is further survived by his sisters, Judith Monday and Cheryl Steidl, and sister-in-law, Arlete Johnson, along with many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Claude and Marjorie Johnson, his brother, Ralph Johnson, and his beloved wife, Gail (Coulthart) Johnson.

Service Details

A funeral service will be held at Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home, 4600 County Line Road, Mount Pleasant, WI on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at 6:00 PM with a visitation from 4:00 PM until the time of service. A private burial with military honors will take place with family on Wednesday, December 17 at Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Union Grove.

For those wishing to view the service via livestream, you may click on this link at 6:00 pm. https://youtube.com/live/NBIb_7oxoKE?feature=share

Due to music licensing laws, you may experience moments of silence while recorded music is played during the service.

Memorial Suggestions

In recognition of Michael's love for animals, his family suggests memorials to Woof Gang Rescue (woofgangrescue.com) or HOPE Safehouse (hopesafehouse.org).