Gerald Johnson
Age - 84
September 25, 2023
Gerald (Jerry) Dennis Johnson, 84, formerly of Elwood and a recent resident of Mokena, passed away peacefully on September 22, 2023 at Sunny Hill Nursing Home. Born January 24, 1939 in Joliet, Illinois, Jerry was the son of Verner and Corinne (Allendorf) Johnson. He grew up in Joliet and graduated from Joliet Central Class of 1957. Jerry was a proud veteran of the United States Navy. He formerly worked as a bagger at Scot Lad Foods on Rt 30 in Joliet, later moving through the ranks and managed Thrif-T-Mart's in Ottawa and Aurora before becoming a grocery buyer for Scot Lad Foods then head-quartered in Lansing, IL. Jerry later became a partner in JV Foods, Joliet, IL and subsequently opened three additional grocery stores - Festival Foods in Bourbonnais, IL and Food Expo in Bradley and Streator, IL. Jerry semi- retired and later became an assembler for Huffy Corporation before fully retiring. Jerry is survived by his children, Susan (Christopher) Markgraf of Mundelein, Sharon (Cedric) Hentsch of Mokena, Sandra (Mark) Chellios of Manhattan and Steven (Melanie) Johnson of Lockport. Grandchildren, Matthew (Asia) Markgraf of Murray, KY, Alex (Jessica) Johnson of Groves, TX, Sarah (fiance' Adam Necklaws) of Wauconda, IL, Kyle (Malai) Chellios of Lakeland, FL, Brittany Hentsch of Tinley Park, IL, Corinne (Kory) Mitcheff of New Lenox IL, Kali Hentsch (fiance Jordan Hays) of Justin, TX, and Hannah Johnson of Lockport, IL. His grandson-in-law, Tyler Chambers, Tsgt US Air Force, Scott Air Force Base, Belleville, IL. His great-grandchildren, Carson, Charlotte, Ellie, Griffin, Fitz, Briar, Mika, Eliza and Bru. Many nieces, nephews and cousins survive. Jerry is preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Wanda (Button), November 2020, his granddaughter, Lindsy (Chellios) Chambers, August 2020, his parents Verner and Corinne (Allendorf) Johnson and his in-laws Vernon and Lucille (Walker) Button. Visitation for Jerry will be on Wednesday, September 27, 2023 from 4-8:00 P. M. at Forsythe Gould Funeral Home, Funeral service will be the following day, September 28, 2023 at 10:30 A. M. with an additional hour of visitation from 9:30 until the time of service. Interment with full military honors will take place at 12:30 P. M. at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, Elwood. Memorials in Jerry's name may be directed to Lightways Hospice, 250 Water Stone Circle, Joliet IL 60431, or Grace Fellowship Church, Memorial Fund, 11049 W LaPorte Road, Mokena, IL 60448. Arrangements entrusted to Forsythe Gould Funeral Home, 507 S. State St. , Manhattan, IL 60442, 815-478-3321, www. forsythegouldfh. com.Show more