Doretha B. Johnson, 79, of Coldwater, passed away on Wednesday, June 13, 2012 at the Laurels of Coldwater.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, June 16, 2012 at Dutcher Funeral home in Coldwater with Pastor Dave Anderson officiating. Interment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Girard Township. Visitation will be held just prior to the service on Saturday from 9:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. at the funeral home.

Doretha was born on July 22, 1932 in Coldwater, Michigan to Edwin and Leona (Lincoln) Yockey. She attended the rural school in Kinderhook and married Joseph “Bud” Mercer in 1951. Their marriage ended in divorce and she later married William J. Johnson. He preceded her in death in 1979.

Doretha was a lifelong resident of Coldwater. She was a dedicated mother and homemaker to her family. She enjoyed square dancing at Beckwith Hall in Quincy when she was younger.

Mrs. Johnson is survived by her children Edward (Deb) Mercer of Coldwater, James M. (Terri Loomis) Johnson of Quincy, Steve (Sandy) Johnson of Coldwater and Nancy (Edward Barnett) Johnson of New Albany, IN, her sisters Myrtle (Don) Slusher of Litchfield and Rita (David Reed) Hantz of Coldwater, her grandchildren Ralph, Alicia, Phillip, Shawn, Corey, Chris, Holly and a great-grandchild Rily.

In addition to her husband William, she was also preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Richard, Donald and Duane and her sister Dorothy Warner.

Doretha’s family would like to thank the fine people at the Laurels for their many years of caring for their mother.