Obituary: Howard A. Johnson

provided the following obituary:

Howard A. Johnson, age 82 of Yorkville, IL passed away on Sunday, September 25, 2011 at The Park at Plainfield in Plainfield, IL. He was born on February 12, 1929 in Kewanee, IL the son of Arvid E. and Ebba (Larson) Johnson.

Howard was united in marriage on February 17, 1951 in Lanyon, IA to Joyce E. Rohden and they spent the next 60 happy years together. Mr.

Johnson served his country proudly with the United States Army during the Korean War and was a longtime member of the Yorkville American Legion Post #489.

Howard began his teaching career for five years at the Yorkville High School in Yorkville, IL. He then went on to teach for 30 years at Joliet Central High School, where for 17 years he served as Dean of Students, until his retirement. During this same time period he was a member of the Yorkville School Board.

Howard was a former Cub Scoutmaster of Troop #340. Mr. Johnson was a longtime member of the Helmar Lutheran Church in Newark, IL. He was a Sunday School Teacher, a Deacon on its Board and an active member of the church’s choir. Howard enjoyed singing and was a member of the Aurora Lamplighters Barber Shop Chorus. He will be remembered as a dedicated member of the Yorkville Lions Club. A hobby he truly enjoyed was being a member of the Christian Motorcycle Association.

Howard was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and uncle who will be deeply missed by his family and many friends.

He is survived by his wife, Joyce Johnson of Yorkville, IL; his children, Linda (Dan) Hanback of Naperville, IL, Bill (Lori) Johnson of Batavia, IL, Phil (Julie) Johnson of Bloomington, IL and Tom (Sheila) Johnson of Naperville, IL; his grandchildren, Scott (Mandy) Hanback, Corey (Janell) Hanback, Mandy (Keith) Pfeifer, Danica, Mikelle and Samantha Johnson, Claire Satkamp, Quinn, Alex and Jessica Johnson; his great-grandchildren, who lovingly called him “HOJO”, Katelynn, Riley and Joshua Hanback, Savannah Pfeifer, Luke and Caroline Hanback, Emily Pfeifer, Lauren Hanback, Braylon and Micah Pfeifer; his brother, Gordon Johnson of Shawnee, KS; his sisters, Joan ( Dr. Frank) Stuart of Chicago, IL and Carol Lewis of Rochester, IN; as well as several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Arvid and Ebba Johnson; his sister-in-law, Naomi Johnson and a brother-in-law, Tommy Lewis.

A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 29, at the Helmar Lutheran Church, 11935 Lisbon Road in Newark, IL with Pastor Dennis Norby. Interment will follow in the Helmar Lutheran Cemetery in Newark, IL.

Memorials for Howard may be directed to either the Helmar Lutheran Church Foundation, 11935 Lisbon Road, Newark, IL 60541 or the Alzheimer’s Association National Office, 225 N. Michigan Ave., FL. 17, Chicago, IL, 60601 or to the charity of the donor’s choice.

Friends may visit from 3 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 28, at the Larson-Nelson Funeral Home, 410 E. Countryside Parkway in Yorkville, IL.

Arrangements by Nelson Funeral Homes & Crematory, www.NelsonFuneralHomes.com or (630) 553-7611.