John Townsend

Born Feb. 28, 1935 to Sydney and Bernice (Dunn) Townsend in Harrisville, he was raised there. John graduated from Harrisville High School in 1954. He served in the U.S. Army with the 11th Airborne, earning the rank of Staff Sergeant. John worked for General Motors in Flint, retiring after 34 years. On Sept. 18, 1976, he married Geneva Johnston nee Allen in Swartz Creek, MI. They were longtime residents of Swartz Creek, retiring to Harrisville in 1987. John attended Calvary Baptist Church in Mikado. He enjoyed golfing, hunting, woodworking, and gardening.

John is survived by three children, Andrew (Laura) Townsend, Carmen (Jim) Merrell, and Keith (Sandra) Townsend, two stepchildren, Erven Johnston, and Darrell (Michelle) Johnston, and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Geneva on June 28, 2019, his granddaughter, Jasmin Zia, his brother, Charles Townsend, and two stepchildren, Danny Johnston, and Ruth (and her husband Dan) Wright.

John is at Gillies Funeral Home in Lincoln, where visitation will be Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025 from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. Visitation will continue at the funeral home on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025 from 10 a.m. until the funeral service at 11 a.m. Rev. Tim Steiner will officiate. Burial will be in Westlawn Cemetery in the spring.