Merle Johnson

Merle Johnson was a former president of the famous EK Blessing Company in Elkhart, Indiana. Emil Karl Blessing opened a small brasswind valve company in 1906 and soon expanded his products to include cornets and trumpets. Over the years the company grew to include Mr. Blessing’s sons, who played a large role in attracting top performers of the big bands to play their instruments. Mr. Blessing’s daughter, Virginia, was married in 1955 to Merle who purchased the company in 1964, becoming owner and president. In 1978, Merle’s son Randy joined his father in the company and took over as president when Merle retired in 1996. Merle passed away in March 2024 at the age of 92.