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Richard Earl Johnson

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Richard Earl Johnson

Birth
Sterling, Rice County, Kansas, USA
Death
2 Mar 2016 (aged 93)
Johnson County, Kansas, USA
Burial
Cremated, Ashes given to family or friend Add to Map
Memorial ID
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OBITUARY: RICHARD EARL JOHNSON-Richard E. Johnson, 93, went to be with his Lord on March 2, 2016. Richard was born February 1, 1923 in Sterling, Kansas. After serving in WWII, he farmed for 50 years near Geneseo, Kansas, before retiring in Hutchinson, Kansas, then Leawood, Kansas. He is survived by his wife, Beth; three children, David (Peggy), Adele Hillner and Mary White (Grant); twelve grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. Visitation will be held March 6 from 3 to 5 p.m. at Porter Funeral Home, Lenexa, KS. Services will be March 7 at the Church of the Resurrection, Leawood, KS, at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Heart Ministries, Inc., PO Box 2068, Hutchinson, KS 67504-2068. (Condolences may be expressed at: www.porterfuneralhome.com Arrangements: Porter Funeral Homes & Crematory, 8535 Monrovia, Lenexa, KS (913) 438- 6444) Porter Funeral Homes and Crematory(Src: Kansas City Star, March 5, 2016.)

OBITUARY: Richard Earl Johnson was born February 1, 1923, at his Grandmother Kerfoot's home in Sterling, Kansas, to Earl and Helen Johnson. He was blessed to be raised in a Christian home along with his two sisters, Faye and Maurine, where their family lived a humble life on a farm but rich in love.
Richard made his profession of faith at the age of 11 along with his Sunday School friend when his church was holding special meetings with Rev. Adrian Schesslor. At that time, Richard was asked to choose if he would like a Bible or a dime. When he opened his new Bible to the book of John, Richard found a nickel. He didn't take this profession lightly. His faith continued to deepen and became his life's foundation as he walked through his life as a passionate and devoted follower of Christ which included using his leadership strengths to serve as the Sunday School Superintendent and countless years on the deacon board at the First Baptist Church of Lorraine, Kansas.
From a young age, Richard had the spirit of farmer ‑ ready to take action to make things happen as needed. His life was far from glamorous as he would start his chores early before school and work until dusk. When he heard his parents discussing tough financial times on the farm and his father needing to take a traveling job, Richard stepped forward to tell his parents he and their hired hand would handle the farm work in his father's absence. And that he did. By the age of 12, he was driving a tractor full-time.
Richard and his sisters attended North Ashland Country School. He often shared how he skipped third grade as he was the only pupil in his class and felt challenged to meet expectations of fourth grade. However, he never gave up and pushed on towards success. By the age of eight, he was driving the horse and crowded buggy with his sisters and neighborhood children to school. One day the horse was spooked and ended up crashing the buggy as it went around a corner. Richard and his sisters never agreed what spooked the horse, and Richard spent the night in the hospital.
After a year at Sterling College, Richard transferred up to K-State in 1942. It was at the Baptist Student Center that he met Beth Froning, the lovely young lady who had caught his eye previously at a high school youth rally. Harold Dobrinski, his roommate, let Richard borrow his car to take her home. This was the beginning of "love at first sight" for both Richard and Beth and a "match made in heaven".
When Richard sensed he would soon be called to active duty in World War II, he went home to tell his parents good-bye and then returned to Manhattan for a special weekend with Beth. Those plans changed quickly when his roommate gave him a letter stating he was to report to Ft. Leavenworth the next day for active duty in the Army Air Corps. That special weekend turned out to be Beth by his side on the train to Leavenworth.
Richard's military training was in meteorology. What great training for later when becoming a farmer! He was always in awe of being sent to the "big" college of University of North Carolina for his initial training with the "big city boys" and making the cut to continue studies at the University of Chicago. It was not surprising that Beth found her way to Chicago as often as she could before he received remote assignments which included serving at Hudson Bay and later Reykjavík, Iceland, where he forecasted for the B17 and B29 bombers in the Northern Atlantic, Germany and France. Richard would send daily letters to Beth. His "famous" letter read, "Nothing happened today. Reread yesterday's letter." Stories from this time included how eating caribou wasn't the best for keeping a skinny waistline and the long dark winter days. Fortunately, the war ended just prior to reporting to an island just off the Japanese coastline.
On July 6, 1946, 1st Lt. Richard Johnson was honorably discharged, and he and Beth started planning for their wedding on August 13, 1946. After their wedding, Beth's parents moved to town and Richard took over managing the Froning farm. Their theme song could have been "Side by Side". Life was humble and meager as they established their home. On August 12, 1947 ‑ just one day shy of their first anniversary, they welcomed David Eugene into their lives ‑ a future tractor driver and mechanic. Later in 1950, Rosellen Adele came into the family and in 1958, Mary Elizabeth.
Throughout the years, Richard was diligent farming his wheat and milo fields in hopes of a bountiful harvest knowing that the weather could make or break the yield at any moment until the grain was harvested. For a number of years he fed cattle in the winter. There were years of plenty as well as years of tightening their belts. However, one factor remained constant: Both Richard and Beth were committed to their faith and to each other. This was a testimony to those in the community as Richard would not farm on Sundays. That was the Lord's Day ‑ as well as the opportunity for a good afternoon's nap and spending time with family and friends. If someone was in need, they would be there to help. A sick neighbor during harvest? Farmers would stop harvesting their own grain to bring in the harvest for the neighbor. Someone have car trouble or stuck in the ditch during a storm? Richard would go out and help them.
As their children got married, Richard and Beth welcomed the joy of grandchildren into their lives and home. This also brought a new color into predominance: green! John Deere mowers and 622's appeared. Farm Grandpa made sure the grandchildren had green "toys" to enjoy at the farm. Of course, there were also tractor and combine rides with Grandpa. And, oh yes, there were fishing trips to farm ponds where Grandpa was called the "wormer" as he never had time to do more than put worms on the hooks. The same joy was displayed as great grandchildren arrived.
After 50 years of farming, Richard and Beth decided it was time to enjoy life more by giving up farming. A huge farm sale saw green machinery go out the lane for the last time. In 2000, they decided it was time to retire in Hutchinson. In 2008, they announced they wanted to move to the Kansas City area to be closer to their family as they advanced in years. That has been a true blessing to the family to have them near.
As God reached out His hand to Richard on March 2, 2016, he leaves a family and friends with many treasures in their hearts. During his walk on earth, Richard modeled living his life for his Lord with devotion and love to his wife and family who look forward to be reunited with him in heaven.
Richard is survived by his wife Beth, children David (Peggy), Adele Hillner, Mary (Grant) White; grandchildren Laurie (Rob) Cordray, Cheryl (Greg) Kamp, Brian Hillner, Eric (Jessica) Hillner, Ryan (Mary Celeste) White, Andrew (Jodee) White and Kaitlyn White and nine great grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Heart Ministries, Inc., PO Box 2068, Hutchinson, KS 67504-2068.
(Src: Porter Funeral Homes and Crematory, Lenexa, Kansas, March 6, 2016.))
OBITUARY: RICHARD EARL JOHNSON-Richard E. Johnson, 93, went to be with his Lord on March 2, 2016. Richard was born February 1, 1923 in Sterling, Kansas. After serving in WWII, he farmed for 50 years near Geneseo, Kansas, before retiring in Hutchinson, Kansas, then Leawood, Kansas. He is survived by his wife, Beth; three children, David (Peggy), Adele Hillner and Mary White (Grant); twelve grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. Visitation will be held March 6 from 3 to 5 p.m. at Porter Funeral Home, Lenexa, KS. Services will be March 7 at the Church of the Resurrection, Leawood, KS, at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Heart Ministries, Inc., PO Box 2068, Hutchinson, KS 67504-2068. (Condolences may be expressed at: www.porterfuneralhome.com Arrangements: Porter Funeral Homes & Crematory, 8535 Monrovia, Lenexa, KS (913) 438- 6444) Porter Funeral Homes and Crematory(Src: Kansas City Star, March 5, 2016.)

OBITUARY: Richard Earl Johnson was born February 1, 1923, at his Grandmother Kerfoot's home in Sterling, Kansas, to Earl and Helen Johnson. He was blessed to be raised in a Christian home along with his two sisters, Faye and Maurine, where their family lived a humble life on a farm but rich in love.
Richard made his profession of faith at the age of 11 along with his Sunday School friend when his church was holding special meetings with Rev. Adrian Schesslor. At that time, Richard was asked to choose if he would like a Bible or a dime. When he opened his new Bible to the book of John, Richard found a nickel. He didn't take this profession lightly. His faith continued to deepen and became his life's foundation as he walked through his life as a passionate and devoted follower of Christ which included using his leadership strengths to serve as the Sunday School Superintendent and countless years on the deacon board at the First Baptist Church of Lorraine, Kansas.
From a young age, Richard had the spirit of farmer ‑ ready to take action to make things happen as needed. His life was far from glamorous as he would start his chores early before school and work until dusk. When he heard his parents discussing tough financial times on the farm and his father needing to take a traveling job, Richard stepped forward to tell his parents he and their hired hand would handle the farm work in his father's absence. And that he did. By the age of 12, he was driving a tractor full-time.
Richard and his sisters attended North Ashland Country School. He often shared how he skipped third grade as he was the only pupil in his class and felt challenged to meet expectations of fourth grade. However, he never gave up and pushed on towards success. By the age of eight, he was driving the horse and crowded buggy with his sisters and neighborhood children to school. One day the horse was spooked and ended up crashing the buggy as it went around a corner. Richard and his sisters never agreed what spooked the horse, and Richard spent the night in the hospital.
After a year at Sterling College, Richard transferred up to K-State in 1942. It was at the Baptist Student Center that he met Beth Froning, the lovely young lady who had caught his eye previously at a high school youth rally. Harold Dobrinski, his roommate, let Richard borrow his car to take her home. This was the beginning of "love at first sight" for both Richard and Beth and a "match made in heaven".
When Richard sensed he would soon be called to active duty in World War II, he went home to tell his parents good-bye and then returned to Manhattan for a special weekend with Beth. Those plans changed quickly when his roommate gave him a letter stating he was to report to Ft. Leavenworth the next day for active duty in the Army Air Corps. That special weekend turned out to be Beth by his side on the train to Leavenworth.
Richard's military training was in meteorology. What great training for later when becoming a farmer! He was always in awe of being sent to the "big" college of University of North Carolina for his initial training with the "big city boys" and making the cut to continue studies at the University of Chicago. It was not surprising that Beth found her way to Chicago as often as she could before he received remote assignments which included serving at Hudson Bay and later Reykjavík, Iceland, where he forecasted for the B17 and B29 bombers in the Northern Atlantic, Germany and France. Richard would send daily letters to Beth. His "famous" letter read, "Nothing happened today. Reread yesterday's letter." Stories from this time included how eating caribou wasn't the best for keeping a skinny waistline and the long dark winter days. Fortunately, the war ended just prior to reporting to an island just off the Japanese coastline.
On July 6, 1946, 1st Lt. Richard Johnson was honorably discharged, and he and Beth started planning for their wedding on August 13, 1946. After their wedding, Beth's parents moved to town and Richard took over managing the Froning farm. Their theme song could have been "Side by Side". Life was humble and meager as they established their home. On August 12, 1947 ‑ just one day shy of their first anniversary, they welcomed David Eugene into their lives ‑ a future tractor driver and mechanic. Later in 1950, Rosellen Adele came into the family and in 1958, Mary Elizabeth.
Throughout the years, Richard was diligent farming his wheat and milo fields in hopes of a bountiful harvest knowing that the weather could make or break the yield at any moment until the grain was harvested. For a number of years he fed cattle in the winter. There were years of plenty as well as years of tightening their belts. However, one factor remained constant: Both Richard and Beth were committed to their faith and to each other. This was a testimony to those in the community as Richard would not farm on Sundays. That was the Lord's Day ‑ as well as the opportunity for a good afternoon's nap and spending time with family and friends. If someone was in need, they would be there to help. A sick neighbor during harvest? Farmers would stop harvesting their own grain to bring in the harvest for the neighbor. Someone have car trouble or stuck in the ditch during a storm? Richard would go out and help them.
As their children got married, Richard and Beth welcomed the joy of grandchildren into their lives and home. This also brought a new color into predominance: green! John Deere mowers and 622's appeared. Farm Grandpa made sure the grandchildren had green "toys" to enjoy at the farm. Of course, there were also tractor and combine rides with Grandpa. And, oh yes, there were fishing trips to farm ponds where Grandpa was called the "wormer" as he never had time to do more than put worms on the hooks. The same joy was displayed as great grandchildren arrived.
After 50 years of farming, Richard and Beth decided it was time to enjoy life more by giving up farming. A huge farm sale saw green machinery go out the lane for the last time. In 2000, they decided it was time to retire in Hutchinson. In 2008, they announced they wanted to move to the Kansas City area to be closer to their family as they advanced in years. That has been a true blessing to the family to have them near.
As God reached out His hand to Richard on March 2, 2016, he leaves a family and friends with many treasures in their hearts. During his walk on earth, Richard modeled living his life for his Lord with devotion and love to his wife and family who look forward to be reunited with him in heaven.
Richard is survived by his wife Beth, children David (Peggy), Adele Hillner, Mary (Grant) White; grandchildren Laurie (Rob) Cordray, Cheryl (Greg) Kamp, Brian Hillner, Eric (Jessica) Hillner, Ryan (Mary Celeste) White, Andrew (Jodee) White and Kaitlyn White and nine great grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Heart Ministries, Inc., PO Box 2068, Hutchinson, KS 67504-2068.
(Src: Porter Funeral Homes and Crematory, Lenexa, Kansas, March 6, 2016.))


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