Charles Edward Johnson, Jr., passed away on October 29, 2025, in Naples, Florida at the age of 90. Mary Lou Dinsmore (Webster) Johnson, his wife of 68 years, followed 18 days later, passing away on November 16, 2025, in Naples, Florida at the age of 90.
Charles was born in New Kensington, PA but spent most of his childhood in Warren Township, NJ with his 3 siblings and parents. Mary Lou was born in Raritan, NJ, but moved to be the 3rd generation of Websters to live in the house on Westervelt Ave in North Plainfield, NJ. It was at North Plainfield High School that Charles and Mary Lou met.
After graduating from high school, Charles attended Niagara University for his undergrad while Mary Lou remained in New Jersey, attending secretarial school and working at Allstate Insurance. After 4 years of their long-distance romance, they were married at Church of Our Lady of the Mount in Mount Bethel, NJ in 1957 with a reception in the backyard of Mary Lou's childhood home on Westervelt Ave. They honeymooned in Florida.
They set up house in their first cozy apartment in Jersey City, NJ when Charles began medical school at Seton Hall College of Medicine. Following the internship at Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, NJ, they moved to Youngstown, OH where Charlie completed his pathology residency.
Charles was eventually drafted into the United States Army, enlisted as a Captain. They lived briefly on the Army base in Fort Knox, KY before Charles was deployed to Vietnam in 1967. Mary Lou returned to New Jersey with their small children, living with relatives and keeping the home front together for Charles' return.
Charles honorably served as a Captain in the US Army, working in the laboratory at his assignment. He earned a bronze star for his service. Although that year was not spoken frequently, he did relay his experience to his daughter, Anne, telling her he was responsible for the medical research into the unusually high fatalities during helicopter crashes. This research led to determine the designs of the helicopter fuel system were flawed, and the introduction of the Huey helicopter with fuel related safety features that greatly reduced the catastrophic fire fatalities of the servicemen.
That year was the longest Mary Lou and Charles were apart as a married couple. Thankfully, Charles and Mary Lou were able to see each other during this time with an extended leave in Waikiki Beach in Honolulu.
When Charles returned and honorably discharged from the Army, they moved back to Poland, Ohio and Charles joined the Youngstown Hospital Staff.
In 1970, Charles answered an advertisement for a pathologist opening at a small-town hospital in Sarasota, Florida. He took the position, along with a salary cut, packed their 3 children in the station wagon and the Johnsons headed south to the Sunshine State.
Eventually, Charles founded Venice Pathology which became a successful practice for decades to come, serving Venice Hospital and the surrounding medical community. He was a part of the local blood bank and served on the Venice Hospital Board. He served Bank of Venice board and was a part of founding the local Guarantee Bank.
Mary Lou and Charles enjoyed their new Florida home and perpetual sun lifestyle. Although most of their extended family remained up north, they met new "family". There were many found along their way with several couples making up their friend group for over a half century.
For the last 40 years, the Johnsons enjoyed life in the house Charles built for Mary Lou in Nokomis. Special Christmases and Thanksgivings, family from up north escaping from the winter, eventually visits from grandchildren, fishing lines were dropped, boat trips to Snake Island and dolphin watching, and much much more at the Anchorage. During that time, Charles and Mary Lou also built their Florida "Shore House" on the east coast, dividing the retirement time between coasts entertaining family and friends.
Charles and Mary Lou enjoyed adventures with their friends on many golf excursions to courses nationwide and abroad. Through the decades, there were cruise vacations, poker and mahjong games, dinner parties, wine bar get-togethers and porch parties. Good times were always had at the Yacht Club and tiki bar and dinners after a day of local golf.
After winning his first golf trophy in Youngstown, Ohio in the 1960s, Charles continued to follow his golf passion up until he was 84. He had the ultimate pleasure of playing at legendary courses such as St Andrew's and Pebble Beach and watch the Masters' one year in Augusta, GA.
He had a long-standing membership with Mission Valley Country Club, with several club championships and holes-in-one. He was honored in 2021 by The Men's Golf Association at Mission Valley as a "Member Emeritus". His letter from the MGA noted "Everyone was always happy to have 'Tuna" on their team or respected him as a worthy opponent."
Charles also enjoyed sailing, racing with his sailing buddies on the crews of "Leading Edge" and "Mitosis". His passion for sailing had led him and one of his best friends to qualify to sail in the Yngling World Cup in Austria one year, flying over to Europe with just their sails packed, creating a memorable road trip to the competition. He also enjoyed boating, taking his brother far out to the Gulf for deep sea fishing on the "Mary L" or the grandkids to dolphin watch in the intercostal.
Mary Lou honed her formidable skills in the kitchen, family, volunteering, mahjong and needlework. She effortlessly created memorable feasts for friends and family. Her children and grandchildren benefitted from her creative side, with beautiful handmade gifts from scarves to intricate sweaters. Mary Lou also was very involved in the local school, working at the front office of Epiphany and involved with the church. She volunteered at the local library and delivered a warm meal and conversation for the homebound for Meals on Wheels. She also enjoyed boating, where many weekends were spent at various passes and restaurants on the water with Charles and their children.
Charles is predeceased by his parents, brother and sister. Mary Lou is predeceased by her parents, brother and sister. Charles and Mary Lou are predeceased by their son, Michael, and his wife, Lisa (Cropinsky), and son-in-law, Michael Silverstein.
Charles is survived by his younger sister, Mary Helen (Sullivan). Charles and Mary Lou are both survived by daughters Janet Silverstein and Anne Olmsted and son-in-law Adam Olmsted. Papa Tuna and Lulu are survived by their grandchildren Jordan and Nicole Silverstein, Abigail (Olmsted) Buckheit, Davis and Adair Olmsted, bonus grandchildren Jacob Buckheit and Marguerite (Demasi) Olmsted, and blessed with a great granddaughter, Georgia Buckheit.
A celebration of life will be held on January 11, 2026. If you wish to attend, please email [email protected] or text (954) 303-2470 to be sent the details of the event. Charles and Mary Lou will be interred at the Sarasota National Cemetery in a small private graveside service with military honors.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations to be directed to Avow Hospice, 1095 Whippoorwill Lane, Naples, Florida, 34105 or Avowcares.org/donate in the honor and memory of Charles, Mary Lou, and Michael Johnson.
Charles was born in New Kensington, PA but spent most of his childhood in Warren Township, NJ with his 3 siblings and parents. Mary Lou was born in Raritan, NJ, but moved to be the 3rd generation of Websters to live in the house on Westervelt Ave in North Plainfield, NJ. It was at North Plainfield High School that Charles and Mary Lou met.
After graduating from high school, Charles attended Niagara University for his undergrad while Mary Lou remained in New Jersey, attending secretarial school and working at Allstate Insurance. After 4 years of their long-distance romance, they were married at Church of Our Lady of the Mount in Mount Bethel, NJ in 1957 with a reception in the backyard of Mary Lou's childhood home on Westervelt Ave. They honeymooned in Florida.
They set up house in their first cozy apartment in Jersey City, NJ when Charles began medical school at Seton Hall College of Medicine. Following the internship at Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, NJ, they moved to Youngstown, OH where Charlie completed his pathology residency.
Charles was eventually drafted into the United States Army, enlisted as a Captain. They lived briefly on the Army base in Fort Knox, KY before Charles was deployed to Vietnam in 1967. Mary Lou returned to New Jersey with their small children, living with relatives and keeping the home front together for Charles' return.
Charles honorably served as a Captain in the US Army, working in the laboratory at his assignment. He earned a bronze star for his service. Although that year was not spoken frequently, he did relay his experience to his daughter, Anne, telling her he was responsible for the medical research into the unusually high fatalities during helicopter crashes. This research led to determine the designs of the helicopter fuel system were flawed, and the introduction of the Huey helicopter with fuel related safety features that greatly reduced the catastrophic fire fatalities of the servicemen.
That year was the longest Mary Lou and Charles were apart as a married couple. Thankfully, Charles and Mary Lou were able to see each other during this time with an extended leave in Waikiki Beach in Honolulu.
When Charles returned and honorably discharged from the Army, they moved back to Poland, Ohio and Charles joined the Youngstown Hospital Staff.
In 1970, Charles answered an advertisement for a pathologist opening at a small-town hospital in Sarasota, Florida. He took the position, along with a salary cut, packed their 3 children in the station wagon and the Johnsons headed south to the Sunshine State.
Eventually, Charles founded Venice Pathology which became a successful practice for decades to come, serving Venice Hospital and the surrounding medical community. He was a part of the local blood bank and served on the Venice Hospital Board. He served Bank of Venice board and was a part of founding the local Guarantee Bank.
Mary Lou and Charles enjoyed their new Florida home and perpetual sun lifestyle. Although most of their extended family remained up north, they met new "family". There were many found along their way with several couples making up their friend group for over a half century.
For the last 40 years, the Johnsons enjoyed life in the house Charles built for Mary Lou in Nokomis. Special Christmases and Thanksgivings, family from up north escaping from the winter, eventually visits from grandchildren, fishing lines were dropped, boat trips to Snake Island and dolphin watching, and much much more at the Anchorage. During that time, Charles and Mary Lou also built their Florida "Shore House" on the east coast, dividing the retirement time between coasts entertaining family and friends.
Charles and Mary Lou enjoyed adventures with their friends on many golf excursions to courses nationwide and abroad. Through the decades, there were cruise vacations, poker and mahjong games, dinner parties, wine bar get-togethers and porch parties. Good times were always had at the Yacht Club and tiki bar and dinners after a day of local golf.
After winning his first golf trophy in Youngstown, Ohio in the 1960s, Charles continued to follow his golf passion up until he was 84. He had the ultimate pleasure of playing at legendary courses such as St Andrew's and Pebble Beach and watch the Masters' one year in Augusta, GA.
He had a long-standing membership with Mission Valley Country Club, with several club championships and holes-in-one. He was honored in 2021 by The Men's Golf Association at Mission Valley as a "Member Emeritus". His letter from the MGA noted "Everyone was always happy to have 'Tuna" on their team or respected him as a worthy opponent."
Charles also enjoyed sailing, racing with his sailing buddies on the crews of "Leading Edge" and "Mitosis". His passion for sailing had led him and one of his best friends to qualify to sail in the Yngling World Cup in Austria one year, flying over to Europe with just their sails packed, creating a memorable road trip to the competition. He also enjoyed boating, taking his brother far out to the Gulf for deep sea fishing on the "Mary L" or the grandkids to dolphin watch in the intercostal.
Mary Lou honed her formidable skills in the kitchen, family, volunteering, mahjong and needlework. She effortlessly created memorable feasts for friends and family. Her children and grandchildren benefitted from her creative side, with beautiful handmade gifts from scarves to intricate sweaters. Mary Lou also was very involved in the local school, working at the front office of Epiphany and involved with the church. She volunteered at the local library and delivered a warm meal and conversation for the homebound for Meals on Wheels. She also enjoyed boating, where many weekends were spent at various passes and restaurants on the water with Charles and their children.
Charles is predeceased by his parents, brother and sister. Mary Lou is predeceased by her parents, brother and sister. Charles and Mary Lou are predeceased by their son, Michael, and his wife, Lisa (Cropinsky), and son-in-law, Michael Silverstein.
Charles is survived by his younger sister, Mary Helen (Sullivan). Charles and Mary Lou are both survived by daughters Janet Silverstein and Anne Olmsted and son-in-law Adam Olmsted. Papa Tuna and Lulu are survived by their grandchildren Jordan and Nicole Silverstein, Abigail (Olmsted) Buckheit, Davis and Adair Olmsted, bonus grandchildren Jacob Buckheit and Marguerite (Demasi) Olmsted, and blessed with a great granddaughter, Georgia Buckheit.
A celebration of life will be held on January 11, 2026. If you wish to attend, please email [email protected] or text (954) 303-2470 to be sent the details of the event. Charles and Mary Lou will be interred at the Sarasota National Cemetery in a small private graveside service with military honors.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations to be directed to Avow Hospice, 1095 Whippoorwill Lane, Naples, Florida, 34105 or Avowcares.org/donate in the honor and memory of Charles, Mary Lou, and Michael Johnson.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Charles Edward Johnson, Jr. & Mary Lou Dinsmore Johnson, please visit our flower store.
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