Ernest Russell Johnson

Ernest Russell Johnson STOCKTON Ernest Russell Johnson died peacefully at his home in the early morning hours of Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019, at age 96. Born in Rosedale, NJ, on June 3, 1923, he was known by his friends and family as Ernie. Ernie was predeceased by his parents, Russell C. Johnson and Daisy A. Johnson; his sisters, Edith May Johnson and Anna Johnson Van Dyke; his sons, David E. Johnson and William R. Bowman, and his grandchildren, William R. Bowman Jr. and Tammy Lynn Fiel. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Doris E. Hart Johnson, and by his children: Ted Johnson (Sheila Peterman); Dale Ann Fiel (David); Barbara R. Tenney (Alvan); Barbara Netroy; Janet Colagio; Robert R. Johnson (Gwyn); daughter-in-law, Gloria Bowman, and also like a daughter, Donna Jobst. He is also survived by 13 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren, as well as many, many, cousins, nieces, and nephews, including one special niece who was devoted to his care, Doris M. Van Dyke. Ernie leaves quite a legacy in family, his work in agriculture, agriculture preservation and his promotion of bus safety. Ernie was a farmer for many years in Pennington, NJ, and Delaware Township in Hunterdon County, NJ. Many of those years with his son alongside of him in the farming business. He was a member of Pennington Grange #64 for 82 years and served over 20 of them as the treasurer. He was a trustee of the Holcombe-Jimison Farmstead Museum in Lambertville, NJ. He was a member of the NJ Farm Bureau for over 40 years. He was a life member of the Mercer County co-retired Teachers Association, and also of the National Rifle Association (NRA). For almost 20 years, Ernie was a judge for the Old-Timers division of the Plowing Match at the Howell Living History Farm in Lambertville. He was in charge of the antique tractor display from 2000-2017 for the Hunterdon County 4-H and Agriculture Fair. He received the Roger Everritt Award for his service in 2016. Her was employed for 35 years as the transportation coordinator for the Hopewell Valley Regional School District, although it did undergo several name changes during those years. Ernie and several other supervisors started a Bus Safety Rodeo for drivers of buses for the State of New Jersey. It continued for over 40 years and a form of it continues still today. He was also a charter member of the NJ School Transportations Supervisors that was formed in 1964, having served two years as the president. He was a graduate of Brookdale College in Red Bank, NJ. Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 16, 2019, at the Wilson-Apple Funeral Home, 2560 Pennington Rd., Pennington, NJ 08534. Interment will follow in Harbourton Cemetery. Calling hours will be on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019, from 2 to 5 p.m., and on Monday, Dec. 16, 2019, from 10 to 11 a.m. Pastor Russell H. Tenney will be officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Hunterdon County 4-H and Agriculture Fair, P.O. Box 2900, Flemington, N.J. 08822 with notation: Memorial for Ernie Johnson. Condolences may be made at www.WilsonApple.com. Wilson-Apple Funeral Home 2560 Pennington Rd. Pennington, NJ 08534 (609) 737-1498