Rev. John Johnson

The obituary never says much… But then neither does the person it’s written about! This is my story, and I am sticking with it.

I found a home in Bethesda, Ohio during the dog days of scalding August, 1932, the 27th to be specific. Dad was Jode F. Johnson, and Mom was Jeanette Virginia Lewis Johnson. Sister Wanda (Ernie) Wilcox sneaked in two years before me, and Brother Harry Dean (Freeda) Johnson stepped in a year after that. We lost Dad August 30, 1933 to a swimming accident. Wanda departed this life in 2003, and God called Mom home just two months before me.

Mother remarried a dairy farmer, and soon Herbert M. (Cora Lee) Gossett, Jr. of Quaker City, David Robert (Sheryl) Gossett of Salesville, and Virginia Kay (Ernie) Knott of Sagertown, Pa., joined the team.

We planted crops and milked cows, typical depression dirt farmers. We literally dug life from God’s bountiful earth, never affluent, never wanting.

I took my elementary schooling at Belmont, Ohio, and then moved to a dairy farm in Old Washington, graduating there in 1950. “Precious Memories.”

I then joined the U.S. Army, serving in Korea as a minefield specialist and in bomb disposal, and was honorably discharged in January 1954, rank of S/Sgt.

On January 26, 1955, I married Gladys Moore of Flushing, Ohio, and this union produced Faith Kathleen (Jim) Dodd of Cambridge, John K. Johnson of Newark, Pamela Ann (Ken) Nayman, deceased, and Dale F. Johnson of Atlanta, Georgia. Nine grandchildren complete the picture.

I took seminary work and served churches in Ohio for the Wesleyan Church and the East Ohio Conference United Methodist Churchses, retiring in July 2000. I was then called to serve Mt Bethel Chapel until the time of my death. I was blessed to be a Chaplin for the Harrison County Sheriff. Operating B.I.K.E.S. gave me another opportunity to serve others.

My life has been full, fun, and blessed by my Savior, Jesus Christ, who I call my Lord and my God. That’s my story.

Friends may call at R.K. Lindsey Funeral Home in Dennison, Ohio on Monday, January 17, from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Services will be held at the funeral home on Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Jeff Eschbaugh officiating. Committal will take place at Rock Hill Cemetery in Flushing. Those wishing to honor John’s memory by a charitable contribution are encouraged to do so to the charity of their choice.
R.K. Lindsey Funeral Home, Inc.
(740) 922-1970
www.lindseyfh.com