George J. Johnson, 87, of Ottawa, passed away on Saturday, September 14, 2019 at Pleasant View. Funeral Services will be at 12:00 noon on Saturday, September 21 at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa with Rev. David Yim, pastor of Evangelical United Methodist Church, officiating. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the services. Interment will be in the Shrine of Rest Mausoleum at Oakwood Memorial Park where full military rites will be conducted by the American Legions Post 33 Veteran’s Group Honor Guard.
George was born on February 5, 1932 in Ottawa, Illinois, to George and Lillian (Crear) Johnson. He was a graduate of Ottawa Township High School, class of 1950. George served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. He married Darlene M. Friestad on October 6, 1957 at the Evangelical United Methodist Church in Ottawa. George worked at Libby-Owens-Ford for 42 years until his retirement. He was a member of the Evangelical United Methodist Church, Glassworkers Local 19, Ottawa VFW, American Legion Post 33, and the Ottawa Moose Lodge. George created Johnson Subdivision in Ottawa that in turn became a neighborhood of 50+ single family residences.
He is survived by his wife, Darlene, his four children, Michael (Janet) Johnson, of Inverness, IL, Brenda (Steve) Van Fleet, of Southport, CT, John (Kelly) Johnson, of Chicago, George W. Johnson, of Summerfield, FL; ten grandchildren: Katie, Kelsey, Kelly, Sarah, Anna, Taylor, Sydney, Jack, Joe and Georgie, four great-grandchildren: Lilly, Ava, Colton, and Mia, and two brothers Richard (Sharon) Johnson, of Utica, and Kenneth (Mary) Johnson, of Chillicothe, IL.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, Edith Hastings, Janet Newell, and three brothers, Gary, Robert, and James Johnson.
Pallbearers will be his sons, Mike, Johnny, and George, and grandsons, Jack, Joe, and Georgie.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the Evangelical United Methodist Church, 1116 Illinois Ave, Ottawa, IL 61350.
George has been laid to rest in the Shrine of Rest Mausoleum, Sanctuary of Life.