Obit: Johnson, Irwin E. (1932 – 2009)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
Email: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Johnson, Matthews, West, Loasching, Shoemaker, Gearing, Eddy, Lamp, Jelinek, Dormady, Marg, Flick

----Source: Banner Journal (Black River Falls, Jackson Co., WI.) April 22, 2009

Johnson, Irwin E. “Irv” (2 July 1932 –19 April 2009) With Flag

Irwin E. “Irv” Johnson, 76, of Hixton died Sunday, April 19, 2009, surrounded by his family, at his home in Hixton Township under the care of the Black River Hospice.

Irwin was born July 2, 1932, in Black River Falls to parents Otto H. and Mary Edna (Matthews) Johnson. He enlisted in the United States Air Force Air National Guard, serving from 1949 through 1952 in the 11th Airborne Division out of Fort Campbell, KY. He then served in the United States Army through 1954, serving in Korea and Italy during his years in the military.

He married Judith (West) Loasching in June of 1957 in Hixton, and she preceded him in death in 1971, and Oct. 27, 1978, he married Teresa Shoemaker in Merrillan.

Irv was employed as an evaporation operator at Ludeman’s South Alma Cheese Factory for 25 years, retiring in 1988.

He was a member of the Hixton-Taylor American Legion Post #368.

Irv will be remembered as a very caring, family-oriented individual who loved to spend time with his grandchildren and who loved to flirt and tease. He was always very protective of his family, particularly of his grandchildren. He enjoyed working on automobiles and going for rides in his convertible and on his motorcycle. He enjoyed buying and trading cars and campers, always on the lookout for his next vehicle. He spent many summers camping with his family in Warrens and Hatfield. He was a very generous person, always willing to help out those in need.

Irwin is survived by his wife, Teresa; his son, Duane (Julie) Johnson of Hixton; four daughters, Pamela (Daniel) Gearing of Merrillan, Penny (Kevin) Eddy of Sparta, Lorie (Richard) Lamp of Black River Falls and Jennifer (Dallas) Jelinek of Hixton; two brothers, Robert (Shirley) Johnson of Black River Falls and Ed (Dee) Johnson of Carson City, NE; one sister, Christy (Dicky) Dormady of Black River Falls; 19 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren; besides many other relatives and friends.

In addition to his parents and his first wife, Judith, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Vicky Johnson, in 2005; and infant brother, Bruce and infant sister, Victoria; his brother, Otto; father-in-law, Clyde Shoemaker; and mother-in-law Joyce West.

Funeral services for Irwin E. Johnson will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, April 23, 2009, at the Jensen-Modjeski Funeral Home, Hixton, with Reverend Terry Marg officiating. Burial with military rites by the Hixton-Taylor American Legion Post #368 will take place in Sechlerville Cemetery.

Friends may call at the Jensen-Modjeski Funeral Home, Hixton Wednesday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and one hour prior to services.

Casketbearers will be grandchildren, Casey Eddy, Randy Flick, Dallas Gearing, Dillon Gearing, Jarred Gearing, Jamie Johnson, Jeremy Johnson, Daniel Lamp and Mackenzie Lamp.