Rex Johnson

Rex Eugene Johnson, 87, Mendon, Ohio, died Tuesday January 12, 2010 at 6:30 a.m. at The Laurels of Shane Hill, Rockford, where he had been a resident. He was born July 28, 1922 in Summitville, Indiana to Charles R. Johnson and Hazel (Dunlap) Johnson. On September 28, 1947 he married June M. Shaw, who preceded him in death on June 2, 2009.

Surviving are four sons: Dr. Terrence (Connie) Johnson, Van Wert, Ohio, Jeffrey (Pat) Johnson, Mendon, Ohio, Steven (Brenda) Johnson, Ohio City, Ohio, Dr. Daclynn (Lori) Johnson, Rupert, Idaho; three daughters: Janelle (John) Sites, Rockford, Ohio, Lyndel (Bill) Smith, Ohio City, Ohio, Kimberly (Ed) Smith, Mendon, Ohio; four brothers: Preston (Martha) Johnson, Poneto, Indiana, Leon (Anna) Johnson, Bluffton, Indiana, Jay Johnson and Ross Johnson, both of Geneva, Indiana; four sisters: Lucile Elam, Celina, Ohio, Gaye Turner, Huntington Beach, California, Jean Oxender, Ann Arbor, Michigan, Patty (Bob) Adams, East Lansing, Michigan; twenty grandchildren: Chuck (Dina) Beahrs, Cami (Andy) Metzinger, Tina (Shawn) Lamb, Amy (Lee) Plaza, Gabe, Brandon, Drew, Whitney, Tegan Johnson, Ryan (Brandy), Nathan, Evan (Whitney), Jordan Sites, Trent (Amy) Smith, Alisa (Matt) Stallings, Thad Smith, Paige, Jake Johnson, Arielle and Maxwell Smith; eight great-grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild.

Deceased are three brothers: Wayne, Wendell, and Max Johnson; one sister: Ina Mote; three grandchildren: Stephanie Sites, Brittany Smith, and Adam Johnson.

He was a teacher in Pleasant Hill, Van Wert, York Township, St. Marys Schools, and Noble Township Elementary, where he was also a principal for many years. He was also a farmer and raised livestock for over 65 years, and was a member of the Mendon United Methodist Church.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday January 16, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. at Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home, Rockford with Pastor Don Clinger officiating. Friends may call at Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home in Rockford on Friday from 2-7 p.m. and one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial will be in Tomlinson Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to Habitat for Humanity, Van Wert or Celina, Ohio.

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