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WIUM's Don Johnson Dies of Heart Attack

Don Johnson and his wife Ruth Schoeber

An award winning reporter and former long-time host of Morning Edition on Tri States Public Radio has passed away.  

Don Johnson was 69.

Johnson worked at the Macomb Journal when former News Director Bill Wheelhouse brought him to Tri States Public Radio. Wheelhouse has said he hired Johnson because he constantly scooped the competition.

Johnson was known for his easy-going ways and his mellow voice. He retired from Tri States Public Radio in January 2008 after 20 years on the air. Shortly thereafter he took a job at the e-waste recycling center in Macomb.

Johnson was working at the facility Tuesday morning when he collapsed. He was pronounced dead at 10:12 am  at McDonough District Hospital.

Funeral arrangements are pending at Dodsworth Piper Wallen Funeral Home in Macomb.

Rich is TSPR's News Director.