Allen Jay Johnson

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Allen Jay Johnson, 95, of Moundridge. Kan., went home to be with the Lord Saturday, March 19, 2011, at Moundridge Manor in Moundridge. He was born Feb. 21,1916, to Elias and Josephine Holdeman Johnson in Newton, Kan.

When Allen was 7 years old, he moved with his family to Rich Hill. Mo. He worked in the oil fields for a few years and spent the greater part of his life in the trucking industry, driving over the road for Belger Cartate hauling heavy equipment and machinery. In later years he enjoyed lawn care.

On May 8, 1954, Allen was united in marriage to Worthie Sullivan. She died in 1989, leaving him lonely. On July 17, 1990, he married his childhood sweetheart, Blanche Lewis. They enjoyed 15 years together.

Allen was baptized into the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite at Rich Hill by Minister Ben Becker on Nov. 7, 1999, at the age of 83. He rejoiced and was so thankful that the Lord picked him up and saved him in his old age.

After Blanche passed away, he moved to Rich Hill, living in the senior apartments for three years. Due to declining health, he moved to Moundridge Manor in February of 2010. He touched many who lived there and was loved by all. Allen was a very likeable person and his testimony was an inspiration to many.

Allen's nephews, Dayton Johnson and family enjoyed caring for him and spent many Sunday dinners and evenings together listening to his many stories. He loved and appreciated his stepfamily and enjoyed his son's telephone calls every Saturday. He looked forward to Wednesday's and Saturday's when he ate breakfast with his brother, Charles Johnson.

Allen is survived by one son, Donald Johnson and friend, Annie, of Peyton. Colo.; two stepdaughters, Patricia Sherman and husband, Bill, of Highland Village,Texas, and Donna Vermillion and husband, Bob, of Summerfield, Fla.; two brothers, Willard Johnson and wife, Francis, of Macon, Miss., and Charles Johnson of Rich Hill, Mo.; two sisters, Lois Eastland of Phoenix. Ariz., and Jewell McGinnis of Yuma. Ariz.; a brother-in-law, Ralph Bear and wife, Shirley, of Shawnee Mission, Kan.; three stepgrandchildren; several step great-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives. He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Worthie; his second wife, Blanche Lewis; and one brother, Dennis Johnson.

Funeral services are 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, March 23, at the Bethany Mennonite Church, Rich Hill, with the Revs. Gary Schmidt, Myron Koehn and Kenneth Koehn officiating. Visitation will be Tuesday from 6:30-8 p.m., at Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel, (660) 679-6555, Butler, Mo. Burial in Warrensburg Memorial Gardens, Warrensburg, Mo.

Contributions to Moundridge Manor.

Online condolences, www.schowengerdtchapel.com.