Obituaries

M. Elaine Johnson, 92, of St. Charles, died Saturday, June 15 at Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital. She was born July 6, 1931 in Newton, IL, the daughter of Edwin J. and Mae (Eveland) Scanlan.

Her first job was as a summer clerk at the Old Faithful Lodge at Yellowstone Park. She then took a job as a teacher at Brimfield High School in northwest Illinois and was in charge of women’s athletics. She had several disagreements with the men’s head coach over gym time. They eventually worked those out as he later became her husband, Donald Johnson. They were engaged on Valentine’s Day, 1956 and married on June 3, 1956. A few weeks later, Don was drafted into the military and she followed him to Fort Lewis in Washington state. After Don’s time in the service, they returned to Illinois to teach at Little York where Elaine was busy being a mother. They moved to Bradley, IL in 1960, Wenona, IL in 1969 and St. Charles in 1970. Besides being a homemaker, Elaine also worked at various times for the Bradley Elementary School District, St. Charles school district and for many, many years at Montgomery Ward in St. Charles. She was an active member of Baker Memorial United Methodist Church and served on numerous committees. She played an active role in Sarah Circle and the Emmaus community. She enjoyed and grew spiritually through the numerous Bible studies in which she participated.

After retirement, she and her husband spent many hours as volunteers: RVICS (Roving Volunteers In Christ’s Service, UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief), Salvation Army (bell ringers, packing holiday food boxes, delivering Golden Dinners), Northern Illinois Food Pantry and various other organizations. Elaine enjoyed her family and friends and was the Family Reunion organizer. She and Don liked to travel (they visited all fifty U.S. States) and revisited favorite places. She enjoyed reading, writing and photography and shared photos with family and friends.

Elaine was preceded in death by her parents, her brother William Scanlan, two nephews, Greg Scanlan and Jeff Johnson, two sisters-in-law Barbara Rodgers and Kathy Scanlan, and her brother-in-law, Paul Johnson.

Elaine is survived by her beloved husband of sixty-eight years; her loving children: Mark (Wendy) of West Chicago, Kent (Chris) of Salem, SC, Brian (Barb) of Carpentersville and Beth Keen of Batavia; her grandchildren Nicole (Jake) Downing, Collin Johnson, Brad (Becky) Johnson, Doug (Courtney) Johnson, Alex Johnson, Madison (Kurtis) Chione, Ryan Johnson, Shae Norwick, Jason Norwick and Sara (Jason) Schad. Elaine is also survived by nine great-grandchildren: Dakota Norwick, Ada Downing, Will Downing, Eliza Schad, Evelyn Johnson, Toby Johnson, Jed Johnson, Jenny Johnson, Greyson Chione with another on the way. She is also survived by her sister Katherine (Rollo) Katterhenry of Sidney, IL, two brothers-in-law, Dan (Betty) Rodgers and Gary Johnson and one sister-in-law Nora Johnson. Elaine is also survived by her nieces and nephews Linda (Warren) Tarr, Barb (Tom) Netzer, Brent (Cheryl) Scanlan, David Scanlan, Mike (Jesse) Katterhenry, Matt (Laura) Katterhenry, Steve (Kristy) Rodgers, Marjorie Earl and Randy Johnson as well as many great nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at Baker Memorial United Methodist Church (Main Street and Fourth Ave., St. Charles) on Friday, June 21st, with visitation at the church starting at 10:00 A.M. and the service to follow at 11:00 A.M.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Baker Memorial United Methodist Church or the Salvation Army. If you are unable to make a donation, please consider sending flowers to Yurs Funeral Home, 405 East Main Street, St. Charles, for delivery Thursday, June 20th.

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