Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Johnson, Coral 1933
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Sandy Heintzelman sheintz@iserv.net December 29, 2010, 9:42 pm

Ionia Sentinel Standard, 1 May 1933

River Gives Up Victim of Boat Tragedy

Body Found Late Sunday After Dynamiting Dislodges It; Physician Pronounces 
Daughter Well.

The body of Coral Johnson, who was drowned Saturday afternoon about 2 o’clock 
in an attempt to save his six-year-old daughter, June Marie was found by 
draggers Sunday afternoon about 6 o’clock, 30 hours after he had gone to the 
bottom.

A boat manned by Hollis Duell, John (Doll) Shattuck, Herman Hall, and Robert 
Charles, retrieved the body about 40 rods below the scent of the accident.  It 
was thought it had been caught in the bottom of the river and loosened by 
several blasts of dynamite.  Sheriff’s officers and helpers had just before 
stretched some wire fencing across the river below the Redemsky park.

Officers worked all day Sunday and far into the night of Saturday in an attempt 
to locate the body.  It was estimated that 2,000 people visited the scene 
Saturday and Sunday.  Crowds at times hampered the work.  Downcast skies seemed 
to hold no threat for the curious.  When the body was located the crowd surged 
to the bank and many small children were knocked down.  It was nearly 
impossible for officers and helpers to take care of the body.

Doctors Monday pronounced June Marie as none the worse for her experience.

Coral Howard Johnson was born in Sebewa township, May 30, 1904.  He was 28 
years and 10 months of age.

At the age of nine he and his parents moved to Ionia township where he had 
since resided.  On October 3, 1925, he was united in marriage to Winnifred E. 
Smith, also of Ionia township.  To this union one child June Marie was born 
whose life he saved by sacrificing his own.  In addition to his wife and child 
he is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Edgar Jackson, two sisters, Mrs. 
Lawrence Reeder, and Ilah Johnson.

Coral was of strong personality, and made up of unparalleled thoughtfulness and 
understanding which caused him even as a child to share the cares and burdens 
with his family.

Funeral services will be conducted at his home in South Ionia Tuesday afternoon 
at 2 o’clock and at the Stone funeral chapel at 151 East Washington street at 
2:30 o’clock.  Dr. Paul L. Stewart will be in charge.  Burial will be in Tuttle 
cemetery.


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