The Paw Paw, Michigan, community continues to remember Easton Michael Johnson, a young athlete whose life ended unexpectedly in September 2023 at the age of 12.
Easton died on September 15, 2023, at Bronson Methodist Hospital. Born January 5, 2011, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, he was the son of Jimmy and Kelsie (Costello) Johnson and attended Paw Paw Middle School.
His death brought an outpouring of grief from family, friends, teammates, coaches and others who had known him through school and youth baseball.
Easton Johnson’s Life in Paw Paw
Easton grew up in Paw Paw and was known to many people through his involvement in youth athletics.
He developed a strong connection to baseball and became recognized within the travel baseball community as a talented player.
His obituary described him as a standout pitcher and third baseman for the BTLA Canes, where he built friendships with teammates and others involved with the program.
A Young Athlete Remembered
Baseball was an important part of Easton’s life.
He was known by several nicknames, including Big E and EJ, while those closest to him also called him Javi.
His personality was reflected in his distinctive style, including his bleached blonde hair and pink cleats, details that became part of the memories shared by people who knew him.
His obituary also noted his enthusiasm for the Miami Dolphins, Alabama football and mixed martial arts personality Conor McGregor.
Family and Friendships
Easton’s family was central to his life.
He shared a particularly close bond with his brother Maverick, and his obituary described the time they spent together as especially meaningful.
His friendships extended beyond his immediate family. Through school, baseball and medical care, he developed relationships with teachers, coaches, parents, teammates and physicians.
Those connections became part of the community’s memories after his death.
Easton Johnson’s Obituary Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Easton Michael Johnson |
| Born | January 5, 2011 |
| Died | September 15, 2023 |
| Age | 12 |
| Hometown | Paw Paw, Michigan |
| Birthplace | Kalamazoo, Michigan |
| School | Paw Paw Middle School |
| Parents | Jimmy and Kelsie (Costello) Johnson |
| Brother | Maverick |
| Baseball | BTLA Canes |
| Positions | Pitcher and third baseman |
| Hospital | Bronson Methodist Hospital |
| Funeral home | Langeland Family Funeral Homes |
| Visitation | September 21, 2023 |
| Funeral service | September 22, 2023 |
| Funeral location | Kalamazoo First Assembly of God |
Funeral and Memorial Service
According to Easton’s published obituary, visitation was held on September 21, 2023, at Langeland Family Funeral Homes Burial & Cremation Services in Kalamazoo.
His funeral service followed on September 22, 2023, at Kalamazoo First Assembly of God in Portage.
The services provided family, friends, teammates and members of the wider community an opportunity to come together and remember Easton’s life.
A Community That Remembers
The response to Easton’s death demonstrated the number of people who had been touched by his young life.
Friends and members of the community left messages remembering him with affection and expressing sympathy for his family.
For those who knew him through baseball, school and family life, memories of Easton’s personality and enthusiasm remain an important part of his legacy.
Important Update About the 2026 Report
A recent online article dated September 16, 2026, appears to present an Easton Johnson death in Michigan as a current event.
That should not be confused with the documented obituary for Easton Michael Johnson of Paw Paw, whose death occurred on September 15, 2023.
The available obituary records do not establish a new September 2026 death for the same individual. Because Easton Johnson is a name shared by multiple people, publishing a new 2026 obituary without additional identifying information could incorrectly attribute the 2023 death to a different person.
Latest Update
The verified Michigan obituary located for Easton Michael Johnson concerns his death on September 15, 2023, at age 12.
He was a Paw Paw Middle School student and a respected young baseball player with the BTLA Canes. His family, teammates and community remembered him for his personality, athletic ability and close relationships with those around him.
There is currently insufficient reliable evidence to publish a separate September 2026 Easton Johnson death as confirmed.
Disclaimer
This article distinguishes the documented 2023 obituary of Easton Michael Johnson of Paw Paw, Michigan, from an unverified 2026 online death claim. Because multiple people may share the name Easton Johnson, readers should confirm the individual’s age, hometown, family information and other identifying details before attributing a death notice to a particular person.