George Johnson Jr

George Johnson, Jr., 88, of North Henderson, IL died at 1:15 P.M. Monday, April 16, 2012 at Cottage Hospital, Galesburg.

He was born April 25, 1923 in North Henderson, IL, the son of George O. and Ella (Swanson) Johnson. He was raised and educated in North Henderson, graduated from Alexis High School in 1941 and attended Augustana College, where he sang in the Augustana Choir. He also attended the University of Illinois.

George married Dorothy Holder at Moline, IL on December 11, 1949 and she survives.

He farmed all of his life in the North Henderson area where he also was a pure bred breeder of Hamp and York hogs. George loved his family, farming and raising hogs. He also enjoyed writing poetry and singing at weddings and funerals.

He was a lifelong member of the Zion Lutheran Church where he served on the church board for many years. He was on the Illinois Association Yorkshire Board for 6 years and the National Hampshire for 6 years, serving as vice president one year and receiving the Distinguished Hampshire Service Award. He served 20 years on the Warren County Soil Conservation Board, with 10 years as president. He served 6 years on the Warren County Land Use Council, four years as the president. He also served on the Alexis School Board for 12 years, four as the president. He sang in 40 Choral Dynamics Shows and in 2004 received the International Poetry Award.

His family includes his wife, Dorothy, two sons, Jack (Jayne) Johnson of North Henderson and Scott (Paula) Johnson of Franklin Grove, IL, two daughters, Nancy (Jim Van De Bogart) Johnson of Beloit, WI and Julie Stretch of Peoria, one brother, Dick Johnson of North Henderson, two sisters, Joyce (Dick) McCaw of North Henderson and Doris Ann (Don) McKelvie of Alexis, one son-in-law, Dennis Higgins of Alexis, 14 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren along with nieces and nephews,

He was preceded in death by his parents, infant son, Jimmy, daughter Patti Higgins, and brother Robert Johnson.

Funeral services will be 10:00 A.M. Friday, April 20, 2012 at the Zion Lutheran Church, North Henderson with Rev. Beth Hamilton officiating. Burial will be in Oak Lawn Memorial Gardens, Galesburg. Friends may call Thursday, April 19, 2012 after 2:00 P.M. at Hoover-Hall Memorial Chapel, Monmouth where his family will be present from 4:00-7:00 P.M. Memorials may be given to Zion Lutheran Church. Online condolences may be left at www.hooverhall.com.