Francis E. Johnson, 86, of Kewanee, Il. died at 4:20 A.M. Thursday, March 15, 2012 at Kewanee Care Home.
Francis was born on August 13, 1925 in Bishop Hill, Il. the son of Benjamin and Martha (Poston) Johnson He served in the US Army during WWII. Stationed in the Philippines, he was training as a paratrooper for the invasion of Japan.
He married Edna Swanson on June 3, 1949. They were divorced. He later married Martha Huffman on April 8, 1988 in Davenport, Ia.
She survives along with a daughter Penny (Lloyd) Lashbrook of Kewanee, a step daughter Dawn Huffman of Westfield, In. and a step son Dan Huffman of Kewanee. three grandchildren Jackie (Jim) Morgan of Galesburg, Il., Terri Lashbrook and Geno of Kewanee and Kelli (Paul) Palen of Kewanee, three step grandchildren Adam (Stephanie) Huffman of Kewanee, Leslyan and Zachary Huffman of Walnut, Il., 14 great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren. Also surviving are two brothers David C. Johnson of Kewanee, Carl Johnson of Burton, Michigan, a sister Emily (Gerald) Roman of Atkinson, Il. and several nieces and nephews.
Francis was preceded in death by his parents, a brother Benjamin Johnson, a sister Mary Workheiser, a stepson Larry Huffman and a step daughter in law Candy Huffman.
Francis was employed at McNeil Asphalt and retired in 1988.
He enjoyed NASCAR and was an avid follower of Dale Earnhardt, Sr. In his younger days, he drove stock cars. He loved his feline friends Tommy and Dolly.
Funeral services will be at 11:00 A.M. Monday, March 19, 2012 at the Schueneman-Tumbleson Funeral Home, Kewanee, Il. Rev. Dennis Keane of the First Congregational Church of Kewanee will officiate. Burial will be in the Andover Cemetery where Military honors will be accorded by the Kewanee Veterans Council. Visitation will be from 10:00 A.M. until the time of services on Monday at the funeral home.
Memorials may be directed to the family and may be left at the funeral home.
