 |
| |||
| Radio Station Info | Staff | Advertising | Job Opportunities | Contact Us |
Listen Live
|
|||
|
08/22/2011 - Doyle Johnson
Funeral services for Doyle E. Johnson, age 86, of Rushville, Nebraska will be held on Monday, August 22, 2011 at 10:00 AM at the United Methodist Church in Rushville with Pastor Rod Heilbrun officiating. Interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery in Rushville. A visitation will be held on Sunday, August 21, 2011 from 5:30 to 7:30 at Chamberlain Chapel in Chadron.
Doyle Johnson was born in Loup City, Nebraska on June 21, 1925 to Jim and Virgie (Steele) Johnson. He attended grade school in Dawes County at District #44. He graduated from Hay Springs High School May 22, 1942 at the age of sixteen.
Following graduation he farmed and ranched with his Dad southwest of Hay Springs and also northwest of Rushville. He enlisted in the Army, October 1945 and received his Basic Training in Anniston, Alabama. From there, he went overseas to Japan and remained there until he received his honorable discharge in June 1947.
On January 23, 1949, he married Mary Bell Wellnitz, his closest neighbor and best friend. They resided in the same ranch home where Mary Bell was born. Doyle’s main occupation all his life was ranching and farming. To this union, five children were born, Rodney Allen born April 13, 1951 died at the age of two days from pneumonia; Douglas Allen was born October 21, 1952, Carol Lee was born October 17, 1954, Larry Doyle was born May 5, 1957, and Rhoda Kay was born on October 16, 1961.
Doyle sorted cattle at the Gordon, Rushville, and Chadron Livestock Commission Companies for thirteen years. Doyle was a member of the United Methodist Church of Rushville, the Henry Davis American Legion Post #161, and served on the firing squad for the Legion for nearly thirty years. He was also a member of the Hay Springs VFW and the Chadron BPOE Elks Lodge #1399. Doyle also served in the ASCS (American Soil and Conservation Service) for thirteen years.
Doyle dearly loved his family and friends. His grandchildren were all very special to him and he always tried to keep up with their activities. Doyle played and coached baseball. He played on an all conference football team while at Hay Springs High School (in 1942). He won an all state livestock judging trip to Kansas City also while in high school.
Doyle loved to hunt and fish. He especially enjoyed his annual out of state fishing trips with old friends from Rushville. He also looked forward to hosting the deer hunters in his home since 1952. Doyle liked all sports, and always looked forward to the Broncos games, not to mention his love for watching his children and grandchildren participate in numerous sports and activities.
Throughout his life, he had taken great pride and spent endless hours caring for his livestock, admiring every new calf born. Numerous family dogs had been loved and respected and always Doyle’s helpers, obeying his command. Mary Bell recalls an incident when Doug and Larry were little boys, their collie dog, Queenie, grabbed Doyle by the overalls to protect the boys when Doyle threatened to punish them. They stood laughing – together. Queenie was a true friend to the kids.
Doyle is survived by his wife Mary Bell of 62 years. His Sons, Doug (Kathy) Johnson and children Cristopher and Sarah all of Crete, Illinois; Larry (Lisa) Johnson, Chadron, Nebraska and their daughter Dani (John) Bishay of Omaha, Nebraska. Daughters, Carol Johnson of Sturgis, South Dakota and her children Malinda (Kenny) Smith of Rushville, Nebraska and Charlana Johnson of Scottsbluff, Nebraska; Rhoda (Cal) Coomes of Chadron, Nebraska and their children Jake (Kristen) Hunter of Chadron, Nebraska, Tyler Hunter of Chadron, Nebraska, Mike (Julie) Coomes of Rushville, Nebraska, Kevin Coomes of Chadron, Nebraska, Lynda Scott of Gering, Nebraska, and Crissy (Chris) Olsen of Harrisburg, Nebraska. Brother, JJ (Virginia) Johnson of Hay Springs, Nebraska. Sisters, Lorna (Dale) Christoffersen of Chadron, Nebraska and Joann (Wes) Wilsey of Hay Springs, Nebraska and three Great-grandchildren.
A memorial has been established for the United Methodist Church in Rushville. Donations may be sent to Chamberlain Chapel, PO Box 970, Chadron, NE 69337.
Online condolences can be made at www.chamberlainchapel.com
Chamberlain Pier Funeral Home of Gordon is in charge of arrangements.
Back to FuneralsPrinter Friendly Version Send Story to a friend. |
