Velma (Sweet) Johnston

Velma (Sweet) Johnston passed away peacefully at Munson Hospital in Traverse City from cancer treatment complications. She was born in Charlevoix to Frank and Genevieve (Boyer) Sweet and grew in East Jordan.

Upon graduating from East Jordan High School, she attended business school at Davenport College in Grand Rapids. She then worked in insurance and health care when she met the love of her life, Joe Johnston, in New Orleans. They were married the fall 1977. Joe brought his son Jacob into the marriage. Velma welcomed Jacob into her life as her son, and they are very close in every way.

Joe was a well established and respected Industrial Electrician who supervised the wiring of industrial manufacturing plants throughout the United States. Joe taught Velma the electrical traded, she was a fast learner and she succeeded. They wired manufacturing plants, traveling the country for the next 18 years, and they retired to East Jordan in 2016.

Velma was known for her positive attitude, thoroughly loved her family and loyal to her friends. She enjoyed local and extended camping and any kind of fishing.

Joe passed on July 4, 2020, after a wonderful 42 year marriage. Velma met her next love Wes Dilworth on October 4, 2021.

She is survived by her fiance’ Wes, step-son Jacob Johnston (wife Jennifer and grandson Josh and his wife Nikki); cousins Mel Sweet (wife Paula) and niece Julie Karlskin, nephews: Brad (and Sue) Sweet, Dennis Clark (and Cindi), Jake (and Char) Clark.

She was preceded by her husband Joe, grandparents Claude and Velma Sweet; father Frank and step-mother Ethel; mother Genevieve.

Donations can be made to Crossroads Resale Shop, 6710 M 32 (also P.O. Box 937), East Jordan, Michigan 49727.

A private family and friends service will be held this spring in East Jordan.

Please share your memories and personal messages with the family on her guestbook below.