Richard Johnson

North Henderson, IL

Richard (Dick) L. Johnson, 84, of North Henderson, IL, died peacefully on April 17, 2016 at 10:55pm at the Knox County Nursing Home.

Richard was born at his family home on July 21, 1931, in North Henderson, the son of Ella (Swanson) and George Johnson Sr. He was raised and educated in North Henderson and Alexis, Illinois. Richard graduated from Alexis High School in 1949. He served in the 1st Artillery Battalion in the Korean War from 10/30/1952 through 08/21/1954 achieving the rank of Sergeant. He returned home to farm until age 36 when he bought the Alexis Ford Motor Company with his partner Donald VanFleet. Together they served the Alexis - North Henderson community from 1968 until 2002. He loved the community and was thankful for their support throughout the years. He was married to Sue (Chris) Colvin (1960-1979) and together they raised 3 children. In his spare time, he coached little league baseball for his son and friends, served on the North Henderson Village Board and Lion's Club and served on the advisory board for Carl Sandburg College's auto body program for five years. His real passion was standard bred horse racing. He owned ten horses throughout his racing career (1974-2010) and he served as the Speed Superintendent for the Mercer County Fair for ten years. He simply loved the horse racing business and cherished all the friendships he made along the way. Richard was a wonderful and well-loved father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin and friend. Although he will be missed, he is now at peace and free to dance with the angels.

Richard will be missed by his family: two daughters, Vicki (Ty) McMullin of North Henderson, and Melissa Pedersen of San Diego, California; one sister Joyce McCaw of North Henderson; two sisters-in-law, Bev and Dorothy Johnson of North Henderson; and one brother-in-law Don McKelvie of Alexis; and eight grandchildren, Tasha Meyer of Portland, Oregon; Leslie (Josh) Fleming of Knoxville, Illinois; LaShawna Broude, Brant Johnson, and Mandy Aldama, all of Exeter, California; Danton McMullin of North Henderson; and Brady and Alyssa Pedersen of San Diego, California; and ten great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; four children -infant twins, Jacqueline and James, infant son Brent, and Michael; son-in-law Daniel Pedersen; three siblings, Robert and George Johnson Jr. and Doris Ann McKelvie; and brother-in-law Dick McCaw.

Funeral will be Saturday, May 14, 2016 at 10 am at Zion Lutheran Church, North Henderson with Revered Beth Hamilton officiating. Burial will be at the Linwood Cemetery, Galesburg. Friends may call after 1:00pm Friday, May 13, 2016 at the Wise Family Hoover-Hall Memorial Chapel, Alexis where the family will be present from 4:00-7pm. Memorials may be given to Zion Lutheran Church. Online condolences may be left at www.wisefamily-hooverhall.com. Wise Family ~ Hoover Hall Funeral Home Alexis, IL

Visitation

Friday May 13, 2016 ~ 4:00-7:00 p.m.

Wise Family ~ Hoover Hall Funeral Home ~ Alexis, IL

Saturday May 14, 2016 ~ 10:00 a.m.

Zion Lutheran Church ~ North Henderson, IL