Eldon Johnson

Eldon (Al) R. Johnson

Al was born in a farmhouse north of Terre Haute, Illinois on August 5th, 1922. He attended rural schools and graduated from Gilman High School in Gilman, Ill. He served five plus years in the Army Air Corp from 1940 to 1945. He attended Officers Candidate School as the youngest member of his class with the actor Clark Gable as the oldest. He met President Franklin Roosevelt, General George Marshall, and General Hap Arnold during his service. Al was discharged as a Major in the Reserve in 1952.

Al married the love of his life, Thelma Anderson, on August 17, 1947. Al wrote in his notes on his life that it was the best decision he ever made. They went on to have four sons. Al graduated from the University Of Illinois School Of Business in 1949. The G.I. Bill changed his and our lives forever.

Al and his bride lived in Quincy, Ill.; Des Moines, Iowa; and Clear Lake, Iowa until 1955 when they moved to Brookston. In 1962 they briefly moved to Ft Wayne, Indiana where Al served as manager of Indiana and Kentucky for Skel gas Oil Company. To the delight of his sons, he and Thelma returned to Brookston after two years in Fort Wayne. In Brookston for thirty six years, they built their lives, their real estate and insurance business in the neighboring town of Chalmers, and a home for themselves, their sons, and eventually their grandchildren. In 2004, Al and Thelma moved to West Lafayette where they resided at The Green Tree senior housing complex after purchasing a condominium.

Al served as Prairie Township Trustee for eight years, Vice President of Farmers State Bank, and Vice President of the 1st National Bank of Monticello. He was an active member of the Federated Church of Brookston where he served in numerous positions until 2002 when he and Thelma joined Covenant Church of West Lafayette. It was a vibrant time of growth for Al's faith and relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ. Al is a sixty-six year member of the American Legion and a longtime member of the Masonic Lodge where he served as Master of the Lodge.

Al is survived by his wife Thelma, son Gregg and wife Marci of Roundup, Montana; son Gary and wife Sharon of Wenatchee, Washington; son Tom and wife LeAnne of Lafayette, Indiana; and son Jim of Indianapolis, Indiana; twelve grandchildren, nine great grandchildren and a sister Maxine Smith of Lincoln, Ill.

Thelma and his sons wish to express their gratitude for the man he was, fun loving, generous, ethical in all his dealings, gentle in correction, loving, a provider in all things and maturing in his faith, they could not have asked for a better father or Thelma for a more devoted husband. Al lives on in the lives of his family and generations that enjoy the influence of his love and happiness. His example serves them well even today. He will be quoted often, remembered more and missed in ways that words cannot express. Wait for Mom just inside the gate, Dad. We will see you soon!

Friends may call from 4:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, January 10, 2013, at Hartzler-Clapper Funeral Home of Brookston. Entombment will take place at 10:00 a.m. Friday, January 11, 2013, at Tippecanoe Memory Gardens with Gary Johnson officiating. His funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. Friday, January 11th at Covenant Church of West Lafayette; Pastor Tom Johnson officiating.

Memorial gifts may be given to Covenant Church or the Chalmers American Legion. Share memories and condolences online at www.clapperfuneralservices.com.