Judith Johnson

Judith Ann (Ely) Johnson Bismarck - Judith Ann (Ely) Johnson, 77, of Bismarck passed away at 8 p.m. Friday (Nov. 14, 2025) at Goldwater Care, Danville, with her family by her side. Judi was born on April 2, 1948, the daughter of Cleo Henry "Lee" and Doris Ann (Stearns) Ely, in Urbana. She married Thomas E. Johnson on Dec. 27, 1970, in Rantoul, and he survives. Survivors include her husband, Thomas Johnson of Bismarck; children, Eric (Tara) Johnson of Bismarck and Jennifer (Richard) Martinez of Bismarck; as well as her grandchildren, Hailey Johnson, Sabrina Martinez and Anthony Martinez. Judi was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Richard Ely. Judi graduated from Mascoutah High School in 1966 and from Eastern Illinois University in 1970. During her teaching career, she taught at Rantoul City Schools, MLK School in Urbana, Bismarck Elementary and Bismarck-Henning Junior High. Judi loved attending her children's and grandchildren's sporting events and school activities. She also loved reading to her grandchildren and working on arts and crafts projects with them. Judi had a warm outgoing spirit - she would talk to anyone and never met a stranger. She had a way of making people feel welcome, and to know her was to truly love her. A celebration of life will be held on Friday, Nov. 21, at 2 p.m. at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 3940 N. Vermilion St., Danville. Miles Clark will officiate. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Bismarck Blessings, P.O. Box 354, Bismarck, IL 61814. Please join Judith's family in sharing memories, photos and videos on her tribute wall at sunsetfuneralhome.com.