Faith, family, and farming—three words that embody the life of Lonnie Ray Johnson. On November 4, 2020, the Lord called his faithful servant, Lonnie, home. He was 78. And while he will be dearly missed by his earthly family and friends, he can rest in the Kingdom of God knowing he lived a wonderful life, leaving behind in his family a legacy that will never perish. Lonnie worshiped and served his Lord at Coldbrook Christian Church, Cameron, IL, for more than 60 years. But most of all, he steadfastly modeled Christian values for his family and others not only inside the red brick walls of Coldbrook but outside as well. A finer person one will meet not.
Lonnie was born March 12, 1942, in Galesburg, IL. He grew up on a farm where he developed a love for agriculture before graduating Galesburg High School in 1960. On a blind date, he met Ruth Ann Tye of Oneida, IL, who was destined to be the love of his life. It was a match made in Heaven for after a brief but effective courtship they married on July 21, 1961, at Coldbrook Christian Church. Over the next 59 years, they shared a life that was normally textured—some ups and a few downs. Throughout, their commitment to each other and their family never wavered. Family is what Lonnie cherished most. Children Kevin, Rodney, Kimberly, and Michelle completed his and Ruth Ann's family. To say Lonnie was most proud of his family is an understatement. He followed the activities of his children and grandchildren and took pride in their success more than his own. The feeling was mutual. Holiday gatherings were a sight to behold with Lonnie at the head of a set of well-positioned dining tables that seated 25 or more. They were events not to be missed. Laughter was plentiful as one of Lonnie's great attributes was an ability to laugh, often at himself. And through the years he provided ample material to retrieve and repeat without embellishment for a good laugh! His family lovingly remembers the bath towel incident in the kitchen, his difficulty eating hamburgers with ketchup, his pig wrangling ability, and his hand signals when a cattle drive went badly.
Lonnie was a farmer, and proud of it. He took pride in providing for his family while producing food and fuel for the world. He began working side-by-side with his dad and grandpa and ended working with his son and grandson, making him number 3 in what is now a 5th generation farm. There were many good years of course, but some major challenges, too. He was an innovator, being one of the first (according to his banker) to maintain digital farm records, using a first-generation Apple computer nonetheless. This came in handy in the early 1980s when commodity prices tanked due to the U.S. grain embargo against the Soviet Union and sky-high interest rates. Lonnie deftly managed the farm with a one-step back, two steps forward approach that ultimately allowed it to prosper to this day. Faith, family, and farming, indeed.
Ruth Ann survives as does his sister Dixie Cannon (Norman), Monument, CO; his children Kevin Johnson (Jodi), Galesburg; Rodney Johnson (Wendy), Champaign, IL; Kimberly Buyck (Steve), Liberty, IL; and Michelle Jackson (Dale), Indianapolis, IN; his grandchildren Cami Tapscott (Ryan), Orion, IL; Justin Johnson, Indianapolis, IN; Jenna Johnson, Rock Island, IL; Mackenzie Lentz (Tyler), Liberty, IL; Chad Johnson, Galesburg, IL; Kara Naegele (Christopher), Lombard, IL; Rachel Hahn (Jordan), Liberty, IL; Madison Miller (Benjamin), Clarksville, TN; and Renee Jackson, Indianapolis, IN; his "adopted" foreign exchange student Michelle Potts, New Zealand; and his great-grandchildren Aspen Tapscott, Orion, IL; and Sawyer Lentz, Liberty, IL. Lonnie was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Lorene Johnson.
While family and friends mourn Lonnie's departure from this earth, they're comforted knowing his life was well-lived and he now rests with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. His memory will be held tightly in their hearts and souls forever.
Visitation will be 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, November 8, 2020, at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services Galesburg Chapel. Due to guidelines associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, social distancing and facemasks will be required with limited seating. Private family funeral service will be Monday, November 9, 2020, at Coldbrook Christian Church with Rev. Rick Warren officiating. Those wishing to attend the funeral "virtually" may watch the live broadcast at 11 a.m. on the funeral home's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Hinchliff-Pearson-West-Funeral-Directors-and-Cremation-Services-160333664037824. Burial will follow in Mosher Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Lonnie's wish was that donations be made to Coldbrook Christian Church or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.
Lonnie was born March 12, 1942, in Galesburg, IL. He grew up on a farm where he developed a love for agriculture before graduating Galesburg High School in 1960. On a blind date, he met Ruth Ann Tye of Oneida, IL, who was destined to be the love of his life. It was a match made in Heaven for after a brief but effective courtship they married on July 21, 1961, at Coldbrook Christian Church. Over the next 59 years, they shared a life that was normally textured—some ups and a few downs. Throughout, their commitment to each other and their family never wavered. Family is what Lonnie cherished most. Children Kevin, Rodney, Kimberly, and Michelle completed his and Ruth Ann's family. To say Lonnie was most proud of his family is an understatement. He followed the activities of his children and grandchildren and took pride in their success more than his own. The feeling was mutual. Holiday gatherings were a sight to behold with Lonnie at the head of a set of well-positioned dining tables that seated 25 or more. They were events not to be missed. Laughter was plentiful as one of Lonnie's great attributes was an ability to laugh, often at himself. And through the years he provided ample material to retrieve and repeat without embellishment for a good laugh! His family lovingly remembers the bath towel incident in the kitchen, his difficulty eating hamburgers with ketchup, his pig wrangling ability, and his hand signals when a cattle drive went badly.
Lonnie was a farmer, and proud of it. He took pride in providing for his family while producing food and fuel for the world. He began working side-by-side with his dad and grandpa and ended working with his son and grandson, making him number 3 in what is now a 5th generation farm. There were many good years of course, but some major challenges, too. He was an innovator, being one of the first (according to his banker) to maintain digital farm records, using a first-generation Apple computer nonetheless. This came in handy in the early 1980s when commodity prices tanked due to the U.S. grain embargo against the Soviet Union and sky-high interest rates. Lonnie deftly managed the farm with a one-step back, two steps forward approach that ultimately allowed it to prosper to this day. Faith, family, and farming, indeed.
Ruth Ann survives as does his sister Dixie Cannon (Norman), Monument, CO; his children Kevin Johnson (Jodi), Galesburg; Rodney Johnson (Wendy), Champaign, IL; Kimberly Buyck (Steve), Liberty, IL; and Michelle Jackson (Dale), Indianapolis, IN; his grandchildren Cami Tapscott (Ryan), Orion, IL; Justin Johnson, Indianapolis, IN; Jenna Johnson, Rock Island, IL; Mackenzie Lentz (Tyler), Liberty, IL; Chad Johnson, Galesburg, IL; Kara Naegele (Christopher), Lombard, IL; Rachel Hahn (Jordan), Liberty, IL; Madison Miller (Benjamin), Clarksville, TN; and Renee Jackson, Indianapolis, IN; his "adopted" foreign exchange student Michelle Potts, New Zealand; and his great-grandchildren Aspen Tapscott, Orion, IL; and Sawyer Lentz, Liberty, IL. Lonnie was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Lorene Johnson.
While family and friends mourn Lonnie's departure from this earth, they're comforted knowing his life was well-lived and he now rests with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. His memory will be held tightly in their hearts and souls forever.
Visitation will be 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, November 8, 2020, at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services Galesburg Chapel. Due to guidelines associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, social distancing and facemasks will be required with limited seating. Private family funeral service will be Monday, November 9, 2020, at Coldbrook Christian Church with Rev. Rick Warren officiating. Those wishing to attend the funeral "virtually" may watch the live broadcast at 11 a.m. on the funeral home's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Hinchliff-Pearson-West-Funeral-Directors-and-Cremation-Services-160333664037824. Burial will follow in Mosher Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Lonnie's wish was that donations be made to Coldbrook Christian Church or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.
Faith, family, and farming—three words that embody the life of Lonnie Ray Johnson. On November 4, 2020, the Lord called his faithful servant, Lonnie, home. He was 78. And while he will be dearly missed by his earthly family and friends, he can rest in the Kingdom of God knowing he lived a wonderful life, leaving behind in his family a legacy that will never perish. Lonnie worshiped and served his Lord at Coldbrook Christian Church, Cameron, IL, for more than 60 years. But most of all, he steadfastly modeled Christian values for his family and others not only inside the red brick walls of Coldbrook but outside as well. A finer person one will meet not.
Lonnie was born March 12, 1942, in Galesburg, IL. He grew up on a farm where he developed a love for agriculture before graduating Galesburg High School in 1960. On a blind date, he met Ruth Ann Tye of Oneida, IL, who was destined to be the love of his life. It was a match made in Heaven for after a brief but effective courtship they married on July 21, 1961, at Coldbrook Christian Church. Over the next 59 years, they shared a life that was normally textured—some ups and a few downs. Throughout, their commitment to each other and their family never wavered. Family is what Lonnie cherished most. Children Kevin, Rodney, Kimberly, and Michelle completed his and Ruth Ann's family. To say Lonnie was most proud of his family is an understatement. He followed the activities of his children and grandchildren and took pride in their success more than his own. The feeling was mutual. Holiday gatherings were a sight to behold with Lonnie at the head of a set of well-positioned dining tables that seated 25 or more. They were events not to be missed. Laughter was plentiful as one of Lonnie's great attributes was an ability to laugh, often at himself. And through the years he provided ample material to retrieve and repeat without embellishment for a good laugh! His family lovingly remembers the bath towel incident in the kitchen, his difficulty eating hamburgers with ketchup, his pig wrangling ability, and his hand signals when a cattle drive went badly.
Lonnie was a farmer, and proud of it. He took pride in providing for his family while producing food and fuel for the world. He began working side-by-side with his dad and grandpa and ended working with his son and grandson, making him number 3 in what is now a 5th generation farm. There were many good years of course, but some major challenges, too. He was an innovator, being one of the first (according to his banker) to maintain digital farm records, using a first-generation Apple computer nonetheless. This came in handy in the early 1980s when commodity prices tanked due to the U.S. grain embargo against the Soviet Union and sky-high interest rates. Lonnie deftly managed the farm with a one-step back, two steps forward approach that ultimately allowed it to prosper to this day. Faith, family, and farming, indeed.
Ruth Ann survives as does his sister Dixie Cannon (Norman), Monument, CO; his children Kevin Johnson (Jodi), Galesburg; Rodney Johnson (Wendy), Champaign, IL; Kimberly Buyck (Steve), Liberty, IL; and Michelle Jackson (Dale), Indianapolis, IN; his grandchildren Cami Tapscott (Ryan), Orion, IL; Justin Johnson, Indianapolis, IN; Jenna Johnson, Rock Island, IL; Mackenzie Lentz (Tyler), Liberty, IL; Chad Johnson, Galesburg, IL; Kara Naegele (Christopher), Lombard, IL; Rachel Hahn (Jordan), Liberty, IL; Madison Miller (Benjamin), Clarksville, TN; and Renee Jackson, Indianapolis, IN; his "adopted" foreign exchange student Michelle Potts, New Zealand; and his great-grandchildren Aspen Tapscott, Orion, IL; and Sawyer Lentz, Liberty, IL. Lonnie was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Lorene Johnson.
While family and friends mourn Lonnie's departure from this earth, they're comforted knowing his life was well-lived and he now rests with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. His memory will be held tightly in their hearts and souls forever.
Visitation will be 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, November 8, 2020, at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services Galesburg Chapel. Due to guidelines associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, social distancing and facemasks will be required with limited seating. Private family funeral service will be Monday, November 9, 2020, at Coldbrook Christian Church with Rev. Rick Warren officiating. Those wishing to attend the funeral "virtually" may watch the live broadcast at 11 a.m. on the funeral home's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Hinchliff-Pearson-West-Funeral-Directors-and-Cremation-Services-160333664037824. Burial will follow in Mosher Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Lonnie's wish was that donations be made to Coldbrook Christian Church or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.
Lonnie was born March 12, 1942, in Galesburg, IL. He grew up on a farm where he developed a love for agriculture before graduating Galesburg High School in 1960. On a blind date, he met Ruth Ann Tye of Oneida, IL, who was destined to be the love of his life. It was a match made in Heaven for after a brief but effective courtship they married on July 21, 1961, at Coldbrook Christian Church. Over the next 59 years, they shared a life that was normally textured—some ups and a few downs. Throughout, their commitment to each other and their family never wavered. Family is what Lonnie cherished most. Children Kevin, Rodney, Kimberly, and Michelle completed his and Ruth Ann's family. To say Lonnie was most proud of his family is an understatement. He followed the activities of his children and grandchildren and took pride in their success more than his own. The feeling was mutual. Holiday gatherings were a sight to behold with Lonnie at the head of a set of well-positioned dining tables that seated 25 or more. They were events not to be missed. Laughter was plentiful as one of Lonnie's great attributes was an ability to laugh, often at himself. And through the years he provided ample material to retrieve and repeat without embellishment for a good laugh! His family lovingly remembers the bath towel incident in the kitchen, his difficulty eating hamburgers with ketchup, his pig wrangling ability, and his hand signals when a cattle drive went badly.
Lonnie was a farmer, and proud of it. He took pride in providing for his family while producing food and fuel for the world. He began working side-by-side with his dad and grandpa and ended working with his son and grandson, making him number 3 in what is now a 5th generation farm. There were many good years of course, but some major challenges, too. He was an innovator, being one of the first (according to his banker) to maintain digital farm records, using a first-generation Apple computer nonetheless. This came in handy in the early 1980s when commodity prices tanked due to the U.S. grain embargo against the Soviet Union and sky-high interest rates. Lonnie deftly managed the farm with a one-step back, two steps forward approach that ultimately allowed it to prosper to this day. Faith, family, and farming, indeed.
Ruth Ann survives as does his sister Dixie Cannon (Norman), Monument, CO; his children Kevin Johnson (Jodi), Galesburg; Rodney Johnson (Wendy), Champaign, IL; Kimberly Buyck (Steve), Liberty, IL; and Michelle Jackson (Dale), Indianapolis, IN; his grandchildren Cami Tapscott (Ryan), Orion, IL; Justin Johnson, Indianapolis, IN; Jenna Johnson, Rock Island, IL; Mackenzie Lentz (Tyler), Liberty, IL; Chad Johnson, Galesburg, IL; Kara Naegele (Christopher), Lombard, IL; Rachel Hahn (Jordan), Liberty, IL; Madison Miller (Benjamin), Clarksville, TN; and Renee Jackson, Indianapolis, IN; his "adopted" foreign exchange student Michelle Potts, New Zealand; and his great-grandchildren Aspen Tapscott, Orion, IL; and Sawyer Lentz, Liberty, IL. Lonnie was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Lorene Johnson.
While family and friends mourn Lonnie's departure from this earth, they're comforted knowing his life was well-lived and he now rests with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. His memory will be held tightly in their hearts and souls forever.
Visitation will be 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, November 8, 2020, at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services Galesburg Chapel. Due to guidelines associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, social distancing and facemasks will be required with limited seating. Private family funeral service will be Monday, November 9, 2020, at Coldbrook Christian Church with Rev. Rick Warren officiating. Those wishing to attend the funeral "virtually" may watch the live broadcast at 11 a.m. on the funeral home's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Hinchliff-Pearson-West-Funeral-Directors-and-Cremation-Services-160333664037824. Burial will follow in Mosher Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Lonnie's wish was that donations be made to Coldbrook Christian Church or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.
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MARRIED JULY 21,1961
Parents of Kevin, Rodney, Kimberly & Michelle
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