Frances Susan Bowen Johnson, Oakwood Memorial Park, Ottawa IL

By November 11, 2023Obituaries

Frances Susan Bowen Johnson, 78, of Sheridan, IL, died Monday, September 18, 2023 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria, IL.

She was born February 19, 1945 in Ottawa, IL, the daughter of Wallace Francis and Pearl Helene Bowen.

A graduate of Serena High School, Susan received her bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Illinois Chicago and proudly served her country in the U.S. Army as a nurse during the Vietnam War. After her honorable discharge from the military as a captain, Susan continued her career at Copley Memorial Hospital in Aurora, IL, where she worked as an ICU nurse for more than 30 years.

Susan was an active member of the Sheridan United Methodist Church, volunteering in several church leadership roles. She was instrumental in establishing Jennings-Lyon Day Home in Sheridan. Susan loved the outdoors, from the Boundary Waters of Canada and the mountains of the American West to the bubbling creek and the rolling fields of her family farm.

She is survived by her husband of almost 50 years Donald “Don” Johnson, son Shawn (Katie) Johnson, and granddaughters Everly and Meredith Johnson.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and two sisters, Nancy Ann and Marilee Elizabeth.

A visitation will be held on Monday, Sept. 25 from 9:00 a.m. until a funeral service at 11:00 a.m. at Gabel-Dunn Funeral Home, 333 W. Church Street, Sheridan, IL 60551.

An additional ceremony with military honors will be held at Oakwood Memorial Park Cemetery in Ottawa, IL following the funeral.

A celebration of Susan’s life will be held at Sheridan United Methodist Church immediately afterward.

Memorials may be made to the Sheridan United Methodist Church.

She was laid to rest in the Garden of the Ten Commandments.