Nancy (Crull) Johnson

NANCY CRULL JOHNSON

Granger, IN:  Nancy Crull Johnson, 89, passed away peacefully surrounded by family, on Sunday, July 25, 2021, in her home in Granger, Indiana.

Nancy was born on January 17, 1932, in Pontiac, MI to Howard and Annabelle Farrell Crull.  Nancy, her parents, and two brothers moved to Port Huron, Michigan when she was young where she grew up and lived until her high school graduation.  In 1951 she married her high school sweetheart Douglas Johnson. They moved to South Bend, IN that same year where they raised their five children. She lived the remainder of her life in the South Bend area.

Nancy had an internal strength second to none.  She lost both her eldest son and her husband (the love of her life) by the age of 45 yet never exhibited any self-pity or loathing.  She had two daughters still at home, aged 10 and 11, and the job she did to raise them is inspirational to everyone who was fortunate to be a part of her life. 

Nancy never had a bad thing to say about anyone, living by the credo that “if you don’t have anything nice to say about someone then don’t say anything at all”.

Nancy was a member of Sunnyside Presbyterian Church in South Bend, IN for over 67 years where she raised her family. She made many wonderful friends in the “Mariners” group and spoke often of how special that time was to her and Doug. Sunnyside played a significant role in many important moments in her life from births, weddings, baptisms, and the deaths of her son and husband. She served the church by using her talents in the kitchen and the garden and was a supporter of the food pantry.

Nancy lived her life for and was completely devoted to her family.  She loved cooking holiday meals with all the family sitting around the table for hours eating, laughing and telling stories.  Those were her favorite times. She was a very good cook and many of the best memories of her are of spending time enjoying the family meal. She felt strongly that the family dinner table was at the heart of family togetherness and could often be heard discussing the next family meal before dinner was over.  That was her way of loving her family and others by serving them a great meal. She was masterful at gathering and serving her family. She loved them all deeply and leaves a legacy of how to create and love a family. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, Howard and Annabelle Crull; husband Douglas Johnson and son Douglas Johnson, Jr.; sister-in-law Betty Crull. Surviving are 2 brothers: Howard Crull of Granger, IN; Timm (Peggy) Crull of Montecito, CA; 4 children:  JoAnn (Peter) Greco of Fishers, IN; Jeffery (Vickie) Johnson of Dowagiac, MI; Jennifer (Matthew) Russell of Granger, IN and Julia (Jim) Schwartz of Dowagiac, MI; Ten grandchildren: Doug Greco of Mishawaka, IN; PJ (Lauren) Greco of Carmel, IN; David (Danielle) Greco of Fishers, IN; Molly Greco of Fishers, IN; Jill (Marcel) Lebbin of Granger, IN; Jeffery (Chanda) Johnson Jr. of Indianapolis, IN; Annie (Aaron) Weaver of Kalamazoo, MI; Abbie Russell of Granger, IN; JT (Jenna) Schwartz of Granger, IN; Jennifer Schwartz of Granger, IN. She is also survived by 9 great grandchildren with one on the way.

The funeral service will be held on Tuesday July 27, at 11:30 a.m. at Sunnyside Presbyterian Church 115 S. Frances Street, South Bend, Indiana.  Due to current public health and safety standards, social distancing will be enforced and masks required. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park Cemetery, Granger, IN. To leave the family an online condolence www.hahnfuneralhomes.com

The family requests in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Nancy’s church, Sunnyside Presbyterian Church in South Bend, IN.

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