JOHNSON, Eldon D. (1935-2020)

JOHNSON

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 7/7/2022 at 11:38:15

Eldon Dale Johnson
(April 24, 1935 - April 29, 2020)

Eldon D. Johnson, 85, passed away peacefully on April 29, 2020 at Glenn Oaks Alzheimer's Special Care Center, Urbandale, Iowa. Services will be held August 1, 2020. You may join the family on our Live Stream starting 2 p.m., on August 1, located on Eldon's obituary page of Overton Funeral Home's website. The family will greet friends from 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday prior to services. Due to the COVID 19 Pandemic the family has decided to not have a luncheon.
Eldon was born on April 24, 1935 in Clearwater, NE to Kermit and Winifred (Taylor) Johnson. He graduated from Clearwater High School in 1952. He served in the Army until 1956 when he then traveled to Des Moines, IA, where he met his future bride. On February 15, 1958, he married Darlene Davis. They were married 62 wonderful years and raised two daughters.
He worked for Super Valu Warehouse in Urbandale for 42 years. He started out as a warehouse man followed by a truck driver, and after receiving his electrical degree, he was became an Electrical Maintenance Engineer. He was instrumental in designing and creating a cooling system using rainwater during the Great Flood of 1993 keeping the warehouse operational. He was nominated and received the Master Skilled Worker Award as a Maintenance Engineer in 1997. It was presented to him by the Lt. Governor of Iowa. He was quite honored as only three people in the state of Iowa were awarded this prestigious award. He served 15 years on the Board of Directors of the Midwest Grocers Credit Union (now Midland Credit Union) with 11 years as the Chairman.
Thirteen wonderful years were spent as snowbirds in Arizona. His past time was spent shooting billiard pool, playing in pool tournaments and he loved a good game of horseshoes. Dancing was a great love for him and Darlene. Many great hours were spent with friends dancing to live country bands. He also loved John Deere tractors from his early life on the home farm in Nebraska and decided to restore a John Deere 60. It went from junk to a gorgeous green machine. He never met a stranger, and everyone always remembers that "1000-watt smile". He earned the nickname "smiles" as a young boy and it stayed with him throughout the years. His family was his pride and joy.
He is survived by his wife Darlene, daughters Pam Dougherty and Sherri (Chris) Sommers; grandchildren Karla (Colt) Mason, Matt (Shelby) Dougherty, Bryan Dougherty, Brandon Sommers and Madison Sommers; great grandchildren Rylynn and Laine Mason, and Tinley Dougherty; siblings, Donna (Rollie) Hank, Jan (Ron) Lau, and Steve (Jane) Johnson; and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents.
Memorial contributions may be made in his name to the family for a contribution at a later date.
This memorial is provided by Overton Funeral Home, 501 West Ashland Ave., Indianola, Iowa, http://www.overtonfuneral.com/