Raymond Matthew Johnson

Raymond M. Johnson died Monday, October 22, 2012, in Iowa City, Iowa at the age of 99. He was born July 31, 1913 in Campbell, MN, the son of George and Lena (Zimmerlin) Johnson. He had an older brother, Chuck Johnson, and a younger brother and sister, Walt Johnson and Emma Johnson Conner, who all predeceased him. Ray's family moved to Sheridan, Illinois when Ray was three years of age and that is where he spent most of his life. Ethelyn Jeanette Beardsley became his wife on April11, 1937. They raised four children together and enjoyed 53 years of married life in Sheridan. Ray worked for the Libby Owens Glass Company for several years before World War II and then did war work at the Seneca Ship Yards through the war. He began carpentry work with Ben Johnson Contracting and then worked 30 years as a self employed carpenter in Sheridan. Ray was a member of the Sheridan Methodist Church, the Sheridan Rod and Gun Club, the Sheridan Community Club and the Prairie Club Canoeists. Wilderness canoe trips in Quetico Provincial Park in Canada were a special part of Ray and Ethelyn's life. Ray also helped with the Sheridan Boy Scout troop. In 2008 at the age of95, Ray was declared the "oldest person in Sheridan". He had lived in the same house for 70 years before moving to Cedar Manor in Tipton, Iowa in early 2010. Survivors include two daughters, Pat (Ron) Hougas of Tipton, IA, Sally (Jim) Tice of New Cumberland, PA, a son, Mike (Pauletta) Johnson of Lawrence, MI, 10 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ethelyn (1991), his daughter, Judy Johnson (1994), his son-in-law, Roger Johnson (1999), and a great-grandson, Wells Johnson (2005). A memorial service will be held at the Sheridan Methodist Church on Sat., October 27. Visitation will be at 10:00 a.m., with the service at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be at the Sheridan Cemetery following the service. The family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Sheridan Methodist Church, the Rowe Library in Sheridan, or Cedar Manor in Tipton, Iowa.