Richard Rick L. Johnson

72 of 701 W. North St. died at 9:18 pm Friday, December 8, 2006 at home. He was born February 3, 1934 in Broadwell, IL to Melvin Newell and Marjorie Brake Johnson. He married M. Colleen Howerter on August 28, 1954 at Lake Tahoe, NV. He later married Marlene Palmer Crose Murray on January 18, 2001 in Galesburg. She survives. Also surviving are one daughter, Gina (and John) Beardsley of RR Gilson; two sons, Richard Kim Johnson of Metamora and Frank Todd Johnson of Tucson, AZ; four stepchildren, Dave (and Brenda) Crose of Abingdon, Don Crose of Galesburg, Debra (and friend Brian) Crose of Orion and Cathy (and Dennis) Ackman of East Galesburg; one sister, Marilyn Theobald of Mt. Pulaski, IL; 4 grandchildren and 10 step grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Newell Johnson. He graduated from Knoxville High School in 1952. He attended Knox College and played for the football team. He later joined the US Marine Corps and served as a Sergeant in the telegraphic operators unit attached to the USS Estes from 1953 until 1956. While onboard he participated in "Operation Castle" the ships second thermonuclear test series ship in the Bikini Islands. He then participated in "Operation Passage to Freedom", history's greatest civilian evacuation by sea, transporting the Vietnamese in 1954. He later was employed by the Illinois State Police from 1958 until his retirement in 1985. He was a Sergeant and Shift Commander for District 3, Des Plaines, IL. He was a Life Member of the Harry E. Wiles American Legion Post #381 in Abingdon. His hobbies included playing card games with friends, gardening, fishing and working crossword puzzles. He also enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. Cremation will be accorded. At his request, no services or visitation are planned. Hinchliff-Pearson-West Abingdon Chapel is in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be made to the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund.

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