Donald J. Johnson

Donald J. "Doc" Johnson, 80, of Effingham, Illinois, died on Friday, October 31, 2025 at Haven of St. Elmo.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, November 6, 2025 at Centenary United Methodist Church in Effingham. Burial will be in Oak Ridge Cemetery with military rites. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 5, 2025 at Johnson Funeral Home in Effingham.

Memorials may be given to the local Parkinson's Disease support programs (can be in c/o Anna Johnson if desired). Online condolences may be shared at www.johnsonandsonsfh.com.

Donald was born on November 1, 1944, in Decatur, Illinois, the son of James A. and Sallie L. (Leachman) Johnson. "Donnie Joe" as he was known in school, graduated from Effingham High School in 1962. He then went on to attend McKendree College and Murray State. While at school, Don received a draft notice for the Vietnam War. He served in the United States Navy as a Corpsman, or "Doc", attached to the Marines. Doc finished up his time in the Navy at Great Lakes Naval Hospital. At the same time, Doc got a part time job at Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, Illinois, which led him to meet a nurse who would later be his future wife, Anna Kivlehan. After three proposals and plenty of persistence, Anna finally said "yes" and they were married on March 20, 1971.

Doc and Anna then moved down to Carterville, Illinois, while Doc earned his degree in Mortuary Science and Funeral Service from Southern Illinois University. Once he graduated, they returned home to Effingham where Doc continued the family legacy of Johnson Funeral Home as the 5th generation funeral director for over fifty years.

Much of all his life, Doc was a caretaker. This trait was especially demonstrated as a funeral director, caring for friends and family in their time of need. In his confident yet humble approach, Doc provided peace of mind to many in his care. This trait also led to raising and caring for honeybees. As this hobby grew, so did the honey. With over 30 hives at one time, he managed to produce over a ton of honey in one year. He enjoyed sharing this with others, selling jars of honey around town. Also, as a caretaker, Doc found joy raising bird dogs. Watching them work and hunt gave Doc a release from the stresses of life. The Brittany Spaniel was his breed of choice, but Doc loved them all. Having horses too, he enjoyed riding and caring for them. Riding horses in Southern Illinois were some of his most cherished memories.

In the past decade that Doc has battled Parkinson's Disease, some things never changed! He loved joining "the guys" for coffee at the IGA, tinkering in the garage, listening to his favorite country music artists, and indulging in his sweet tooth – especially for candy and cherry pie!

Over the years, Doc was a generous giver, always putting others first. This was shown through giving his time, his resources, or simply a helping hand, without hesitation. The way Doc cared for others in any way possible will be what his family remembers.

Doc is survived by his wife of 54 years, Anna Johnson; daughter, Maddie Johnson and son, Patrick (Courtney) Johnson; grandchildren, Derek and Cecelia; siblings, James (Cathy) Johnson, Judy (Don) Stuckey, and Dennis (Debra) Johnson, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the VA Home-Based Primary Care Team, Haven of St. Elmo, his primary caregivers Sherri Depoister, Roy Clark, and Carol Dilley, and all the other caregivers and helpers that have blessed the Johnson home with their loving care.