Dean H. Johnson, 13 Mar 1922 - 09 Apr 2018

JOHNSON, CARNAHAN, DAVIS, NIGHTINGALE, WELBORN

Posted By: Sandy Ficken (email)
Date: 4/19/2018 at 14:49:58

Services for Dean H. Johnson, 96, Orion, Ill., and formerly of Marengo, will be Friday, April 13, at Bethel Wesley United Methodist Church, Moline, Ill.

Visitation is from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, April 12, at Esterdahl Mortuary & Crematory, Moline. A private family graveside service at Western Township Cemetery, Orion, will follow the luncheon at the church. Military honors will be performed by the Orion American Legion Post 225 and VFW post 143.

Memorials may be made to the Orion Educational Foundation, Bethel Wesley United Methodist Church, or Orion Boys Scout Troop 123.

Mr. Johnson died Monday, April 9, 2018, at UnityPoint Health-Trinity, Rock Island, Ill.

Dean Johnson was born March 13, 1922, son of Frank L. and Inez (Carnahan) Johnson. He grew up in Marengo and graduated from Marengo High School in 1939.

After graduating from the University of Iowa with a mechanical engineering degree in 1943, he spent three years in the Army engineers. He served in the Philippines during World War II, retiring as Captain. In 1946, Dean married Selma Elizabeth Davis at the Marengo Methodist Church. In the same year, Dean began his career at Deere and Co., where he worked for 35 years, retiring in 1981 as Senior Engineer in the Manufacturing and Engineering Department.

The Johnsons lived in Moline before moving to Orion in 1963.

Dean and Selma were long-time members of Bethel Wesley United Methodist Church in Moline. He was a Scoutmaster at Garfield School in Moline and the Orion Scout Troop 123 for a total of 16 years. He was a director of the Moline YMCA and Chairman of Hillcrest Recreation Area for six years. He also served as a director of the State Bank of Orion for 12 years and as director of Orion Bancorporation for eight years. He served as secretary of the board of directors of both companies for seven years, retiring in 1992. Dean served on the Orion Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals and was a member of the Orion Lions Club. In 1993 he served as honorary chairperson of the Orion Educational Foundation’s Endowment Fundraising campaign. He was also well known for welcoming youth from a wide area to enjoy playing basketball at “THE BARN” for approximately 30 years.

Survivors include his wife; daughters Maralyn (Howard) Nightingale and Janet (Gerry) Welborn, both of Orion; a son, Jerry (Darcy), Davenport; 10 grandchildren; and 14 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Glen F. Johnson and Worth R. Johnson.

Memories may be shared online by visiting esterdahl.com.

The Journal Tribune, 18 Apr 2018, 5w