Ernest A. Johnson, Jr.

Ernest Alfred Johnson Jr., 78, of Dennison, Ohio, passed away on Thursday, May 14, 2026, at Cleveland Clinic Union Hospital in Dover, Ohio, after a period of declining health. Born June 29, 1947 in Dennison, he was a son of Elva Fannie (née Sours) Johnson of Dennison and the late Ernest Alfred Johnson Sr.

Ernie lived in Dennison for most of his life and was a 1965 graduate of Dennison High School in its last class. During high school, he had worked at the Southside Pottery and the Dennison Pool. He then served his country in the U.S. Army’s 1st Cavalry Division during the Vietnam War. He returned home to a long career in the local railroad industry as a maintenance of way crewman – first with B & O Railroad and then for CSX until his retirement. He had also worked at Hoosier Engineering in New Philadelphia, Tyson Roller Bearing in Massillon, Reeves Steel Mill in Dover, and Flex Plastics in Mount Eaton over the years.

Ernie had a passion for athletics and was a tremendously avid and loyal fan of the Green Bay Packers, The Ohio State University Buckeyes, Cincinnati Bengals, the College of Wooster, and the Boston Celtics. He was a big fan of Cleveland’s “Big Chuck and Little John Show” and the original Star Trek series. His family is sure that he would want to remind everyone to “Live long and prosper”. Ernie was a member of Tuscarawas V.F.W. Post #7943, the former Dennison American Legion, the National Association of Retired and Veteran Railway Employees, Uhrichsville Moose, and Dennison Eagles. While he may not have attended church regularly, Ernie was a Christian who put his faith in god, and his favorite song was “Spirit in the Sky” by Norman Greenbaum.

On March 30, 1968, Ernie married the love of his life – the former Patricia Louise Kauffman – who survives him at their home. They are also survived by their daughter, Audrey J. (Jim) Herman; sons, R. Bruce (Cindy) Johnson and Nick P. (Vanessa) Johnson; grandchildren, Erin (Sarah) Abelseth, Sarah Steele, Cameron Johnson, Aaron (Stephanie) Kutcher, Ashley (Kevin) Eddleman, and David Herman; great-grandchildren, Bailey, Alex, Asher, and Teagan; niece, Billie (Tom) Kelley and her children, Lexee and Lukas; nephew, Todd (Mandi) Myers; and many other dearly loved cousins, extended family, and friends. In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by his sister, Elaine Johnson.

According to Ernie’s wishes, cremation is planned without a public visitation. He will be interred at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Rittman, Ohio. Charitable contributions honoring his memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Interim Hospice in Coshocton, and Wounded Warriors, in lieu of flowers.