Daniel Johns

DANIEL THOMAS JOHNS ROCKFORD - Daniel Thomas Johns passed away Feb. 24, 2015, at Wesley Willows. He was born to George and DeEtte Johns on May 5, 1918, in Rockford, the eldest of 3 brothers and 3 sisters, now all deceased. Dan graduated from Rockford Central High School. He attended The Art Institute in Chicago and then married Marguerite Shoop of Beloit, Wis. She died in 2008. They had 2 sons, Jonathan (Sandra) and Philip (Carol). Dan joined the Navy during WWII and was assigned to Germany, taking photographs of German legal papers. He was the owner and operator of The Johns Studio in Rockford, doing photography and retouching negatives and old prints. The Boy Scouts of America was a great part of his life and included being a commissioner of the Blackhawk Area Council. He had memberships and held offices in the Professional Photographers Association and the Rockford Writer's Guild where he had many poems and drawings published. He spent many hours at the Burpee Historical Museum, photographing various projects. Whenever something was going on, he had his camera, recording small and great things. He loved keeping memories alive, including taking pictures of his friends at Wesley Willows. Dan also was a longtime member of Court Street Methodist Church, serving many years as head usher. Survivors include his sons; 6 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 14, in the Johns Chapel at Wesley Willows, 4141 N. Rockton Ave., Rockford, IL 61103. Memorials to the Good Samaritan Fund at Wesley Willows or Heartland Hospice.