Richard Lee Johnson

Richard Lee “Dick” Johnson , 81, of Charleston, IL passed away peacefully at 9:00 PM on Saturday, July 30, 2022 at his residence.  

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, August 3, 2022 in the Roselawn Cemetery in Charleston, IL.  The Edwards Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.  

Dick was born on October 5, 1940 in Westfield, IL.  He was the son of Leland and Darleene (Garver) Johnson.  He married Carol Tate on August 29, 1996 in Charleston, IL.  They were blessed with 21 years of marriage before she passed away on August 16, 2017.

He is survived by two children, Lisa Auten and Tony Johnson and his wife Patty all of Charleston, IL, three grandchildren, Megan Auten of Charleston, IL, Dylan Johnson and his wife Emma of Charleston, IL, and Deanna Patton and her husband Mark of Tolono, IL, three great grandchildren, Caden Miller, Avery Johnson and Addyson Miller, three siblings, Sharon Davis of Charleston, IL, Steve Johnson and his wife Susie of Westfield, IL and Myla Laechelt and her husband Ken of Homedale, ID, and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Carol, and two brothers, Maurice and Jerry Johnson.

Dick was a 1959 graduate of Round Valley High School in Eagar, AZ.  He was one of the first persons hired at Moore Business Forms when they opened the Charleston plant in 1961.  He worked there until 1994 when the Charleston plant closed.  He then worked at Eastern Illinois Railroad as an engineer and manager and retired from there in 2002.

Dick was a long-time member of the Moose Lodge in Charleston, and the Charleston Elks.  He and Carol enjoyed traveling throughout the U.S. together and visiting with her family in Virginia.

Dick enjoyed spending time at his brother Steve’s cabin in Golconda, IL.  He would go down there several times a year, to turkey and mushroom hunt with his family and friends.  Of course, the trips were not complete without a stop (or two) at the Golconda Dari-Barr.  Dick enjoyed stock car racing and spent a lot of time with his brother Jerry at Twin City Automotive (TCA), which was Jerry's shop.  They built several stock cars over the years and he enjoyed watching them race at the Charleston Speedway.  Dick also enjoyed fishing, deer hunting, watching Nascar, and having coffee with the boys at McDonalds.  He is going to be dearly missed by family and friends.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or the Coles County Animal Shelter.