Ralph Dean Johnson passed away peacefully at his home near Chester on Wednesday, June 15, 2022. He was 99 years, 8 months.
He was born to the late Samuel Hurd and Jessie E. (nee Husband) Johnson on October 13, 1922 on the farm in Mount Summit, Randolph County, Illinois.
Ralph attended school at Mount Summit, Ebenezer, and Chester High School, and had additional training in agriculture and welding.
He married Ruth Tiller Frazer on March 13, 1959; she preceded him in death on June 15, 2020, after 61 years of marriage.
He was a member of First Christian Church in Chester. Ralph was a lifelong farmer and loved doing conservation work. He also worked at the munitions plant in St. Louis during World War II. He enjoyed reading and hunting for mushrooms, arrowheads and meteorites.
Survivors:
1 Daughter:
Rhonda (Ed) Kerkhover Chester, IL
2 Step Children:
Michael (Sherri) Frazer Chester, IL
Jana Frazer Mayfield Chapel Hill, NC
7 Grandchildren:
Jason (Sonya) Frazer Leander, TX
Jamison (Becky) Frazer Chester, IL
Sara (Josh) Tiegreen Durham, NC
Eddie Kerkhover Chester, IL
Katherine (Derrick) Donaldson Belleville, IL
Emma Kerkhover Chester, IL
Hannah Kerkhover Chapel Hill, NC
9 Great Grandchildren:
Austin Fontaine, Fiona and Simon Tiegreen, Brittany Kempfer, Bridgette Hopper, Shaye Page, Kelsey Hopper, Keelie McPherson and Rodney McPherson
Many Nieces and Nephews
Preceded in Death by: Parents, Wife, 2 Brothers – Hurd H. Johnson and C. Byron Johnson, 1 Sister – Janet Heires, 6 Brothers-in-law and 2 Sisters-in-law
Ralph and his wife Ruth will be inurned together at Emery Cemetery.
Memorial Service:
2:00 pm, Saturday, July 2, 2022
Pechacek Funeral Homes, Chester, Illinois
Officiating:
Rev. Josh Yonts
Inurnment:
Emery Cemetery
Chester, Illinois
Visitation:
Saturday – 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Pechacek Funeral Homes, Chester, Illinois
Memorials:
First Christian Church, Chester, Illinois
Emery Cemetery
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