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BORN
1952
DIED
2010
FUNERAL HOME
CONNIE JOHNSON Obituary
Born Oct. 5, 1952, in DeKalb, she was the daughter of Francis and Lucille (Lewis) Harold. On July 24, 1976, she married the love of her life, Richard William "Bill" Johnson at Victory Baptist Church in DeKalb.
Connie graduated from DeKalb High School, received a Bachelor of the Arts in voice and music from Northern Illinois University and later received her master's degree.
After her marriage to Bill, the two moved to Sycamore, where she lived the rest of her life. Together they raised two daughters, Mary and Ann Johnson. Not only was she a devoted, loving wife and mother, but she also was a teacher in the St. Charles School District for 32 years. She began the early years of her career in music education. She taught fifth, fourth and second grades at Davis Elementary School in St. Charles for all 32 years. She never stopped learning new things and instilled this passion for knowledge in her students through music and her excellent sense of humor. She also continued to share her gift of music in her personal life by singing and playing piano at local churches. She was an unfailingly brave and loyal individual. She will be missed as a most beloved mother, daughter, friend and educator.
She is survived by her two daughters, Mary Leslie Johnson of Oakland, Calif., and Ann Marie Johnson of Sycamore; mother, Lucille Harold of DeKalb; mother-in-law, Gladys Johnson of Barrington; son-in-law, Nicholas Dreher of Oakland; and many relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill; father, Francis Harold; and her father-in-law, Richard Johnson.
Memorial services will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 12, at Anderson Funeral Home in DeKalb, with the Rev. Dale Beaman of Garden Prairie United Church of Christ officiating. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. Thursday until the time of services at 3 p.m. at Anderson Funeral Home. Interment of cremated remains will take place at a later date at Fairview Park Cemetery in DeKalb.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Connie L. Johnson Memorial Fund in care of Anderson Funeral Home, P.O. Box 605, DeKalb, IL 60115. For information, call 815-756-1022 or visit AndersonFuneralHomeLtd.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for CONNIE JOHNSON
April 8, 2011
I just found out about Mrs. Johnson's passing and I am so sad. My condolences to her family. She was so wonderful to my daughter when we moved to St. Charles - she was her first teacher and I'm so grateful for the warmth and caring she showed her as she adjusted to a new school. Diane Handler
Ron,Jackie,Dana,and Taylor Hienbuecher
August 16, 2010
What a terrible loss,may God be with the family,it was an honor to know Connie and Bill
Molly Roschmann
August 15, 2010
Connie's family, friends, and the Davis school community: You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Jill (Drury) Huntsman
August 13, 2010
I had the pleasure of knowing Connie both as a student (almost 25 years ago) and as a colleague in the St. Charles School District. I will always remember her upbeat, enthusiastic attitude and her kind and caring nature, especially with her students. She was one of the people who inspired me to become a teacher! My thoughts and prayers are with Connie’s family. She was a wonderful person and will be missed.
shirley layton
August 13, 2010
Just wanted to send my deepest sympathies to Connie's daughters, mother and family.I pray for them all
Sue Turnbull
August 12, 2010
My deepest sympathies to Connie's family. I was shocked and saddened to learn of her tragic passing. I had the honor of teaching with Connie at Davis. She was a dedicated, generous and talented teacher, parent and person, and she will be deeply missed by many people. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time.
Jennifer Bollero
August 11, 2010
Our love and sympathy to the Johnson family.
Michaela Nelson
August 11, 2010
Mary, Ann Marie, Lucille & Gladie:
It was just a month ago we were all together at Barrington High School's Alum show .... honoring Grandpa Johnson. And two years ago, our classmate and your dad was also taken. I am so sorry for your pain and loss. What a love Connie & Bill had and I pray for peace and comfort for all of you at this time.
Fe Gould
August 11, 2010
"It's about two weeks ago the last time we hugged and whispered to each others ears complementing her time singing duet with Gary Mattin and likewise as I am recovering from my illness." "I'll keep you in my prayers and she smiled as we parted our ways not knowing that was my last embrace from Connie." I will miss her and my condolencess goes to her family.
August 11, 2010
My son had Connie for 2nd grade five years ago. I remember after the first day of school he told me how funny she was and how he was so excited to have her as a teacher. She was a very kind person and a great teacher. We are heartbroken at the news and have her family along with her Davis family in our thoughts and prayers. We find a small comfort in the thought that she is with her husband now and both are at peace. She will be dearly missed by all.
With much love to her family,
The Hedera Family (St Charles, IL)
Mike Mustard
August 11, 2010
I have nothing but fond memories of 4th grade (way back in 1987!) all because of a wonderful woman named Connie Johnson. I very grateful to have also worked with her as an adult in District 303. It was not long ago that I was talking to her as I was repairing her computer in her classroom. Davis School just won't be the same. My condolences to her family and friends.
Michele Machowicz
August 11, 2010
Connie and I along with two other colleagues were a team working together on our Masters degrees during the summer of '95. I remember afternoons upstairs in Connie and Bill's home, pluncking away on the computer, books and people sprawled on the floor, the girls running in and out and playing the summer away. I caught up again with Connie last fall and was hoping to do so again this year. I am so sorry for your loss. Connie and Bill were wonderful people and will be sorely missed. Take some condolence in the joyful memories we have of both of them.
Andy Mitchell
August 11, 2010
Mrs. Johnson was indirectly responsible for one of the happiest days of my childhood. She also drilled into my mind the difference between, "May I go to the bathroom?" and "Can I go to the bathroom?" ("I sure HOPE you can.") Heck of a great person. She'll be missed immensely. - From a 1997 5th grade student.
Richard and Donna Stahler
August 11, 2010
Lucille, So sorry to learn of Connie's passing. She surely had developed into a person who touched many lives since we knew her at Sycamore Road Baptist Church.
Our prayers and thoughts are with you at this time of your loss. God bless!
Nancie Lillie
August 10, 2010
August 10, 2010
Connie worked so long and so hard for her pupils--even those who were having trouble learning or "fitting in" for any reason. After many a long day, I would often joke with her that it was time to go home. But Connie lost track of time for the sake of her students. We who knew her will not lose track of what she did and what she stood for.
Nancie Lillie,
Former Davis School Social Worker
Geneva, Illinois
Donnanne Marvin
August 10, 2010
I don't have the right words for how I feel about the loss of my friend Connie. Connie and I worked together as fifth grade teachers and together otherwise for the last 14 years. We joked about how she was like my "mom" at work, and I liked to surprise her with a coffee treat. I loved Connie's honestly and strength. She was a wonderful woman and a great teacher, our school, as well as myself will have a heavy heart and a special place for her in our memories.
Bob Phifer
August 10, 2010
Lucille and family,
I was shocked to learn of the death of Connie. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Hoske Family
August 10, 2010
We are so saddened by the loss of such a fine person. We only knew Mrs. Johnson for a short time, but she truly touched the life of my son, who was in her 2nd grade class this past year. He would come home from school giggling sometimes over what Mrs. Johnson said or did in class that day. He will miss not seeing her at school. Our thoughts are prayers are with her family.
Shelton Family
August 10, 2010
We are all so saddened by the loss of such a fine teacher, gifted musician and friend. Connie was always willing to discuss any topic and listen to any concern, and she had a wonderful sense of humor. We are keeping her and her family in our prayers. I hope the knowledge that she touched so many, many lives will help sustain you through these dark days.
Opal Brown
August 10, 2010
I have known Connie and Lucille for many years. I remember the good old days from Prince Castle. I will miss talking to Connie as I worked on my lawn. I think Connie was such a friendly and very nice person. She was such a joy to just talk to. I will miss her. I wish to extend my sympathies to Lucille and all of Connie's family. Thank You.
Peggy Safford
August 10, 2010
My sympathies to Mary, Ann, Lucille and the rest of Connie's extended family. Connie and I were in the music dept. at NIU together and she was a kindred spirit in the church choir. We sang duets together from time to time and I envied her extensive music collection when we were picking out music for her to sing at Ed's and my wedding. We have missed Connie in our church choir and appreciated her willingness to come fill in whenever she was needed, whether it be to sing, play piano or ring handbells. She last sang for us just one week before the accident. It was such a shock to learn of her untimely death; all of us who knew her will miss her greatly.
Marc Parker
August 10, 2010
My heart goes out to the Johnson Family for this terrible tragedy. I only knew Connie for a short time, but her spirit and kindness are what I will always remember. It is a very sad loss for all her students, friends and family.
Lori Schmidt
August 10, 2010
I had the priviledge of teaching with Connie for the 10 years I was an educator at Davis School. She was my mentor during my first year teaching fourth grade with her. She was always there to help and share ideas. Her generosity and kindness made me a better teacher.
Her singing spirit will never be forgotten...
"To live in hearts we leave behind
Is not to die."
Karen Wendland
August 10, 2010
Both my daughters, now 28 and 25, were in Mrs. Johnson's 5th grade class at Davis. We remember her dedication and kindness; it is true that teachers touch many lives. My sympathy goes out to her family and colleagues for her tragic loss.
Emily White
August 10, 2010
Where would we be without Mrs. Johnson and her ability to make learning fun? Thank you for all that you taught us. You will be missed. My thoughts and prayers to your daughters and your family during this time.
August 10, 2010
We were so saddened to hear of Connie's tragic death. It doesn't seem real. We first met Connie and Bill when they purchased our house on Chauncey St.in Sycamore in 1979, and were always so pleased that they loved the house, improved it and raised their family there. Our friendship continued when they joined our church and our daughters became friends. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Johnson family at this time. Connie was a wonderful person whom all of us were previleged to know. She will be missed.
Paula, Carl and Allison von Emde
Jastrab Family
August 9, 2010
Our deepest sympathies to the family of Mrs. Johnson. Our daughter Madyson was very lucky to have her for her 2nd grade teacher this past year. Madyson adored her very much and is deeply saddened that she will no longer be able to see her at school. She will always remember her and says that she will always be her favorite teacher. As parents we appreciated the dedication and passion she had for teaching. She cared about every student as an idividual and we know that she has inspired every student that has ever been able to sit in her class room. She will truly be missed.
Lorraine Richards
August 9, 2010
I was so very saddened to hear of the tragic death of Connie. I taught at Davis with her for almost 20 years, and she also gave my youngest son piano lessons when he was singing as a young teen-ager. She was such a wonderful, caring person who lit up the room when she walked into it. May her family find peace knowing that she is now up in heaven with her beloved Bill.
Most sincerely,
Lorraine Richards
Marylin Tierney
August 9, 2010
Please accept our deepest sympathies at the loss of Connie. She was a beautiful person inside and out. I knew her first as a teacher to my son Kevin in 2nd grade at Davis, as a colleague at D303 and best of all as a friend to speak with, on the too few occasions where we would meet while taking a class or at a D303 function. Connie always asked about Kevin no matter where we were and despite the fact that she had taught thousands of children. I will miss her in a few weeks as we return to our classrooms and at our annual back to school district meeting. I will miss her friendly smile and kindness to all. To her immediate family and her Davis School family we will keep all of you in our daily prayers. May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Jayni Wunderlich
August 9, 2010
I am so sad to hear of this great tragedy. I had Mrs. Johnson for 5th grade...and I am now 26 years old. She was absolutely one of my favorite teachers and she had such a loving spirit with all her students. My younger sister had her as well, and we're both grieving. I wish I could attend the funeral, but unfortunately I will be out of town. I am praying so hard for her daughters right now. I can't even imagine. "Trust in the Lord and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6
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