Vernon Dean Johnson

Vernon "Dean" Johnson was born in Peoria, Illinois, on September 9, 1948, cherished son of the late Vern and Fern Johnson. He is survived by his high school sweetheart, Kathie (nee O’Connell), whom he married in 1969; his five children: Keith (Krista), Kevin (Jennifer), Kristie, Kraig (Kristen), and Kurtis (Priscilla); and 14 grandchildren: Kaitlyn, Caleb, Kyle, Ian (Phoebe), Kaedyn, Sarah, Adelaide, Soren, Hazel, Nathan, Mabelle, Cora, Maxwell, and Maddox. He is also survived by his two older sisters: Anita Kay Cain of Glen Carbon, Illinois, and Carole Snyder (Perry) of Conway, South Carolina; by two younger brothers: Don Johnson (Connie) of Louisville, Colorado, and Dan Johnson (Sherry) of Sarasota, Florida; and by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Dean was also very close to Kathie's family: her parents, the late Tom and Ruth O'Connell; and her siblings Rick (Pam) and Kim (Barry). 

He trusted in Christ as his Savior while at a Bible Memory Association (BMA) camp during grade school. He spent the rest of his life learning more about His Lord and serving Him. 

In 1966 Dean graduated from Limestone High School in Bartonville, Illinois, where he had the lead role in the production of Oklahoma, played trumpet in the band, and was an Eagle Scout. He was also involved with Youth for Christ, which is where he met Kathie. 

While attending Wheaton College, Dean sang in the Glee Club. He graduated in 1970 with a degree in mathematics; he worked as a milkman, mailman, garbage man, and barber to pay his way through college. After graduation he entered an electrical apprenticeship program, then became a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW). He worked 14 years in the Peoria, Illinois area, then moved to St. Peters, Missouri to work for General Motors. He worked as an electrician at GM for 24 years before retiring in 2009. 

Dean liked working with young people, serving as a youth sponsor and Sunday school teacher. He enjoyed helping others and volunteered his skills as an electrician or mechanic for many friends and family. He loved attending his children’s and grandchildren’s musical performances and sporting events. He always wanted to be there early to see the first pitch. He played tennis and baseball until he could no longer run the bases. He enjoyed camping, hunting, fishing, fixing things, and helping his children and grandchildren with calculus. 

He and Kathie were blessed to travel and cherished their trip to Israel to see the Holy Land, where his Lord had walked. They visited China together, and Dean traveled to Greece on a mission trip. After retirement he and Kathie joined Volunteer Mobile Missionaries (VMM), serving on several projects. Dean was dearly loved and will be greatly missed by all who knew him. 

The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to Grace Community Chapel Missions or Elders Fund, Righteous Rides, or The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.