A Printer, Trofeo and Sweetheart City

 This week we had a very good first serious discussion with Br. Klingman about his return to activity. He has lived in the area about two years. He built a house with a beautiful, large backyard overlooking a marvelous wild vista. On our very first visit a couple of months ago he volunteered that we should use his yard for a church function. We have taken him up on it. On July 28 we will have an Elders Quorum party. He said, "I guess I had better come to church so that people will know who I am". Well, YES!! We reminded him of the Gift of the Holy Ghost and His role as a testifier of Christ's atonement the greatest act of comfort of all time. He seemed touched. We then showed him videos on Mormon.org and LDS.org, made an appointment for next Friday and went home. Before leaving he asked if we would like a slightly used printer (to replace the, at least weekly, visits to the library) he had replaced it with a newer one and a triple chocolate cake (not a replacement but an actual cake). We said yes to both. What an amazing man. It is great how the Lord moves to bless his missionaries.
 While in Crystal Falls we also visited the brother who experienced much improved health after receiving a priesthood blessing.  He has been "unable" to see us when we have called for an appointment. This time we just stopped at his house and made an appointment with him for this coming Wednesday. He has asked for some help understanding some of the church doctrines and other things he has heard from detractors. He is a very good mechanic. When we first met he wanted to know if I had ever heard of a Trofeo. Of course I knew this 80's Oldsmobile two door coupe sister to the Buick Riviera. In the time we have been here he has rebuilt the damaged front end on the one he was working on and purchased a second one already restored. He was so impressed with my interest and obscure knowledge that it has lead to a special relationship. This will make it easier to speak frankly with him, if needed.

1988 Oldsmobile Trofeo

 We had two non-members attend church this week. One was Br. Peters with whom we are still working and, so far, seems to be making progress. The other is the 40+ year old daughter of a solid member. She was one of the first investigators we had just shortly after our arrival. On our third visit after teaching her the first lesson she told us in no uncertain terms that "she was definitely not interested and to please not call on her anymore." Well...she has attended church with her father the last two weeks, she has quit smoking and yesterday attended the Gospel Principles class that I teach. We are hopeful she will allow us to re-introduce her the gospel.
 While looking for "lost" members on Saturday we encountered the completely charming town of Sweetheart City. A very small community placed adjacent to a small lake containing clean well kept houses with trimmed and manicured yards.  The part member family we met seemed very happy. they were active in their church and their children were well behaved and intelligent. Their goal of maintaining a happy focused family was being realized in this small and very out-of-the-way village with the completely apt name of Sweetheart City.
 For your enjoyment I have included an Alex Boye' video I found very compelling.

 
Happy in the work,
Elder and Sister Johnson

 For those that are interested, here is the local paper's account of the outcome of the trial of the accused killer of Joyce Johnson, much loved member of the Iron Mountain Branch.

Levack convicted

May 5, 2012

By NIKKI YOUNK - Staff Writer , The Daily News

CRYSTAL FALLS - A jury of seven women and five men has convicted David Levack of first degree premeditated murder, first degree felony murder, first degree home invasion, and witness intimidation for killing 81-year-old Joyce Johnson of Stambaugh Township.

Levack, 45, of Kingsford will be sentenced in Iron County Trial Court at 9 a.m. on June 11.

He faces life in prison on both of the murder charges, 20 years in prison on the home invasion charge, and 15 years in prison on the witness intimidation charge. He is also listed as a habitual offender-third, which doubles the maximum penalty of the primary charge.

Jurors deliberated for about nine and a half hours over the course of two days before reaching the guilty verdict at approximately 1 p.m. Friday.

After the verdict was read, Johnson's family members expressed their gratitude and relief.

"We'd like to thank the sheriff's department, prosecutor's office, Michigan State Police, and everyone who worked on the case," said Johnson's son Paul Johnson.

"We'd also like to thank the jury for their time."

"She finally had her day in court," added Johnson's daughter Sheri Branham.

Johnson was found deceased in her bath tub on Sept. 27, 2011, the same day that she was scheduled to testify in a stolen property trial against Levack. An autopsy determined that Johnson died of manual strangulation.

Iron County Sheriff Mark Valesano agreed with the jury's decision.

"I am very proud of the job my staff, the prosecutor and her staff, and all of the agencies that assisted us during this investigation and prosecution have done," he said. "We would like to thank the jury for their sacrifice, time, and the accepting of their civic duty. We believe that their verdict is correct and just. And, we would once again pass on our deepest sympathy to the family of Mrs. Joyce Johnson."

Levack's defense attorney Dan Jaspen of Iron Mountain was disappointed.

"It was a hard case," he said. "I'm obviously disappointed, but the jury worked hard, paid attention, and I wouldn't second guess their decision."

Although the murder case has come to an end, Levack still faces felony charges stemming from other incidents.

In Iron County Trial Court, Levack faces one felony count of receiving and concealing stolen property and one felony count of larceny in a building for allegedly stealing Johnson's jewelry in November 2008. A jury trial in that case was scheduled to commence on May 15.

Iron County Prosecutor Melissa Powell previously said that the trial might be canceled if Levack was convicted on the murder charges.

In Dickinson County Circuit Court, Levack faces two felony counts of felonious assault and one felony count of carrying a concealed weapon for allegedly pulling a knife on Detective/Sgts. Chris Bracket and Jean Belanger of the Michigan State Police.

That incident occurred on Oct. 3, 2011 when the two attempted to make contact with Levack at Motel 6 in Iron Mountain.

The last murder trial in Iron County occurred in 2007, when teens Eddie Andrew Mesik and Bradley Starnes were convicted of killing 67-year-old Darrel McDonald of Iron River.

They were each sentenced to mandatory life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Nikki Younk's e-mail address is nyounk@ironmountaindailynews.com.

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