John Johnson

John Richard Johnson, 81, passed away Thursday, November 22 at Cox South hospital in Springfield, MO. John, Born September 14, 1937. Married Ethel Eileen Fosdick Jun 9, 1959 in Pontiac, Illinois. She proceeded him in death on August, 11th, 2018. John was educated in Pontiac schools, and graduated from Pontiac Township High School in 1955. He served in the Navy from 1957-1961 in the Seabees, the construction branch of the Navy. He served in Okinawa, Japan, and on the island of Atu in Alaska, before returning to Pontiac, IL to work as a truck driver for Morton Printing, and then sold insurance for Country Companies for many years. He moved to Kimberling City, MO in 1986, and he worked in property management until he officially retired in 2015, and moved to Bolivar, MO. He was always active in the church and community, serving on the board of the Bolivar Senior Center, Trustee in his church and volunteered for many community outreach projects such as building ramps for handicapped individuals. He was also active as a Mason in the Lodge in Kimberling City, and through them volunteered to buy gifts and serve food to under privileged families and even helped get food and supplies to the tornado victims in Joplin, MO, after their devastating tornado. John was an avid conversationalist, always ready to meet new people and talk for hours with family and friends. He loved to share his stories of his Seabees experiences and help people with their projects or show them how to do things around the house. His service with the Seabees gave him skills he used throughout his life to help his family and friends. He was always there to lend a hand when someone needed help. He and Ethel liked to travel and visit family, making trips back home to their hometown of Pontiac every year, and after retiring they were able to take some long trips across the country to see the sights and visit family. He talked frequently about these trips and the things they were able to see and enjoy throughout their lives. John enjoyed his grandchildren and great grandchildren very much. He was always a tormentor, which his family can attest to, and loved to pester, dunk, and tease and generally have fun with all of his family. He will always be remembered with a smile on his face and a laugh in his heart. John is survived by his children, Todd (Judy) Johnson, Pontiac, IL; Mary Seiner, Bolivar, MO, Julie (Brett) Johnson, Pontiac, IL. Three Grandchildren, Josh (Chrysanne) Miller, Roanoke, TX; Erin Miller, USAF, Guan; Brian (Sami) Johnson, Batavia, IL and six Great Grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Jerry (Judy) Johnson, Suprize, AZ; Frank (Judy) Johnson, Waxahachie, TX. The family suggests memorials to the Bolivar United Methodist Church. Service will be 7:00 PM Thursday, November 29, 2018 at the Butler Funeral Home of Bolivar, MO. Visitation will be held 6:00 - 7:00 PM Thursday, November, 29, 2018 at the Butler Funeral Home in Bolivar, MO. Burial will be Saturday, December 1, 2018 in Pontiac, IL.

John Johnson

September 4, 1937 - November 22, 2018