Rockney Bernard Johnson

MERCER, Wis. - Rockney Bernard Johnson, 83, of Mercer passed away on Oct. 13, 2021.

Rocky was born on Sept. 16, 1938, the son of Bernard and Antoinette (Filippini) Johnson in Bessemer, Michigan. After graduating from high school, he entered the U.S. Air Force, where he was stationed in Iceland. After he left the service, he moved from Milwaukee to Ironwood to Shawano for various job opportunities. He particularly enjoyed his time as part of the Shawano Paper Mill family and made many lifelong friends. In 1993, he built his dream home on Little Pike Lake in Mercer and was eventually able to retire there and enjoy life on the lake. He was active in the Mercer Lions Club for a number of years and enjoyed being part of the Wakefield United Methodist Church community, where Rocky and Gretchen were married in 1994.

Rocky was a good man who took great pleasure from the simple things in life - fishing, hunting, snowmobiling, classic country music, watching football, and spending time with family and friends. He could always be counted on to tell a funny story. He liked to build things in his wood shop, and he could fix almost anything and liked to try new things like making wine or maple syrup. He was always willing to lend a hand to anyone who needed it

He was a great cook and if you were lucky, you shared one of his homemade pizzas or pasties with him and Gretch. He also loved to eat and as soon as breakfast was done, he was already thinking about what to make for dinner. While dinner was cooking, they liked a game of cribbage and an old-fashioned. They also loved to play cards and dice with family and friends.

He is survived by his wife, Gretchen; his children, Laurie Ringquist, Kris Tetting (Don), Diane Brusoe (Bruce), and Ryan Johnson (Cindy); his stepson, Michael Zazeski (Becki); and 11 grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Bernard and Antoinette Johnson; and his brother, Dan Johnson.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, Oct. 23, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Mercer Community Center at 2648 W. Margaret St. in Mercer. The family requests no flowers. Please join us to reminisce and raise a toast to a life well-lived.

The family has chosen McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home of Ironwood to honor Rockney's legacy of life. You can leave a condolence or a tribute at mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.