Gerald N. "Gerry" Johnson, 88, of Washington, passed away at 3:40 AM Friday, July 7, 2023, at the OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home in Peoria.

Gerry was born April 2, 1935, in Rochelle, IL to Leonard N. and Vivian A. (Roberts) Johnson.  He married Roxan T. Lane on June 21, 1958, in Belvidere, IL.  They celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary last month.  Roxan survives.

Also surviving are four children, Andrea (Donald) Meyers of Belvidere, IL, Kirk (Ruth) Johnson of Washington, Joni (Mark) Kamstra of Bradley, IL, Jeffrey (Lori) Johnson of Burlington, WI; nine grandchildren; and ten great-grandchildren.  Also surviving are two sisters, Judy and Linda, and one brother, Wallace.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Robert and Stanley; and four sisters, Charlotte, Shirley, Virginia, and Marcia.

Gerry worked for many years in the farm equipment industry, including as a Branch Manager for Allied Farm Equipment in Belvidere and Lindsay Brothers in East Peoria and as a Service Manager with Lauer Hardware in Grafton, WI.  Gerry ended his working career as a "Handy Man" at Jim McComb Chevrolet (now Uftring Weston) for eight years in Peoria, before retiring in 2007.

Gerry loved all the Chicago sports teams: the Cubs, Bulls, Bears and Blackhawks and was a charter member of the Die-Hard Cubs Fan Club and loved the University of Illinois athletic teams.  He truly enjoyed the Cubs World Series victory in 2016.  Gerry was highly regarded as a Handy Man and there was nothing that he couldn't fix.  He loved Pepsi-Cola (to the exclusion of any other soft drink) and enjoyed all types of collectibles.  He also loved music, jigsaw puzzles, woodworking, fishing, mowing, gardening, and time spent outside.  Gerry was a member of The Bridge Church in Washington.

Cremation rites have been accorded.  A memorial service will be held at 12 PM (noon) Thursday, July 13, 2023, at Deiters Funeral Home and Crematory in Washington with Rev. Tom Goodell and Rev. Melissa Meyers officiating.  There will be a visitation two hours before the service from 10 AM to noon Thursday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Bridge Church in Washington.