Elva F. Johnson

Elva Fannie Johnson, age 96, of Dennison, Ohio, passed away at her home on Friday, August 28, 2026, after a long and beautiful life. Born February 20, 1930 in Midvale, Ohio, she was a daughter of the late Elmer L. and Grace B. (née Miller) Sours.

On January 6, 1947, Elva married Ernest Alfred Johnson, Sr. with whom she enjoyed a loving marriage of 43 years until his passing on June 14, 1990. She is survived by her daughter-in-law, Patty Johnson; grandchildren, Billie Jo (Thomas) Johnson-Kelley with whom she had resided, Todd E. (Mandi) Myers, R. Bruce (Cindy) Johnson, Nick P. (Vanessa) Johnson, and Audrey J. (Jim) Herman; great-grandchildren, Erin (Sarah) Abelseth, Sarah Steele, Aaron (Stephanie) Kutcher, Ashley (Kevin) Eddleman, Cameron Johnson, Lukas and Lexee Kelley, Adrianna Spring, Jerzi Green, and David Herman; and great-great-grandchildren, Bailey Bernard, Alex Eddleman, Oakley and Oliver Rose, and Asher and Teagan Herman. Elva is also survived by her sister, Martha Hobart, and numerous nieces and nephews, including Vickie Menefee, Rick Clough, and Gary Clough whom she loved like her own children.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her daughter, Elaine Marie Johnson; son, Ernest Alfred Johnson Jr.; brothers, Benton Sours, Charles Sours, George Sours, and David Sours; sisters, Frances Day and Nina Sours, as well as her sister-in-law, Adeline Clough.

In addition to being a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and homemaker, Elva had spent over 30 years as the custodian at the Dennison City Building and Library – during which time she mentored many individuals who were doing their community service – until retiring at the age of 81. In her younger years, she was a tireless volunteer with the Twin City American Legion Auxiliary, raised money to send local high school girls to Girls State each year, and supported the Dennison Volunteer Fire Department’s causes. She attended Southside Gospel Church in Dennison, was a member of The Midvale Club, and enjoyed going to the Uhrichsville Senior Center.

Pastor Thomas Cunningham will officiate a 1 p.m. funeral on Tuesday, September 1, at the R. K. Lindsey Funeral Home in Dennison. Interment will follow beside her beloved husband in Uhrichsville’s Union Cemetery. Visitation is 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home. Those wishing to honor her memory by a charitable contribution are encouraged to do so to Southside Gospel Church Women’s Group.