By Jim Meridith
Posted: Updated:
8 Comments
  • Visitation

    Wednesday, October 24, 2018

    6 to 8 p.m.

    Ingram-Meridith Funeral Home

    Albion, IL

  • Service

    Celebration of Life

    Thursday, October 25, 2018

    11 a.m.

    Albion First United Methodist Church

    Military Rites to follow on the front lawn of the church

  • Full Obituary

    Ronald E. Johnson, 81, of Albion, IL passed from this life to the next on October 19, 2018 at Wabash General Hospital in Mt. Carmel, IL.

    He was born August 8, 1937 in Albion to Lourine (Tait) and Glenn George Johnson. He married Martha Speir Moats on December 24, 1980 in Albion and she preceded him in death.

    Ronald was a Marine Reservist, enlisting in 1955 and serving to 1963. While working at Oilfield Motor Service in Grayville as a parts man for Waukesha Engines based in Wisconsin, he started rebuilding Magnetos and heads for Fairbanks-Morse engines in the shop behind his house. He was later employed by Berry Bearing in Evansville, who was bought out by Motion Industries. He retired from there but continued doing Magneto repair on the side right up until his time of being called home. He was one of the last mag men around.

    He was a multi-faceted man. He designed and engineered conveyor systems for coal transport to grain elevator conveyance systems. He was a talented carpenter, and hand-built furniture. He also enjoyed golfing and traveling. Ronald always had a smile for everyone and a joke to tell. He will be sadly missed by many.

    He is survived by his daughter, Melanie Johnson; his step-daughter, Terri (Allen) Hastings; his son, Gregory Eugene (Renae) Johnson; his step-son, Jeff (Rachel) Moats; one grandchild, Gregory Edmond Johnson; five step-grandchildren: Stephen Keener, Logan Moats, Kaci Moats, Amelia Moats, and Rebecca Moats; and two step-great-grandchildren: Lilly and Raylan Keener. He was preceded in death by his wife Martha; his parents, Lourine and Glenn Johnson; his sister, Norma Briggs; and two brothers: Herschel Johnson and Hubert Johnson.

    Visitation will be held Wednesday, October 24, 2018 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Ingram-Meridith Funeral Home in Albion. A Celebration of Life Service will be held Thursday, October 25 at 11 a.m. at the Albion First United Methodist Church. Military Rites will be conducted on the front lawn of the church following the service.

    Memorials may be made to the Albion First United Methodist Church Stained Glass Window Project.

    Fond memories and condolences may be shared at www.meridithfuneralhome.com.

    Ingram-Meridith Funeral Home of Albion is honored to be entrusted with the arrangements.

Condolences are reviewed and published within 24 hours.

8 Condolences
 
  1. Pat Allin / October 22, 2018 at 4:29 pm

    May God give you comfort as you celebrate a life well lived.

  2. Myrna Mason / October 22, 2018 at 7:40 pm

    The family has my condolences. Ronnie was the first one to tell me he was going home and put a rear end in a recliner. I took him seriously and remarked that I didn’t know you could do that. He then laughed and I realized he was joking. I always remembered Ronnie telling me that..

  3. Gregory Eugene Johnson / October 23, 2018 at 2:45 pm

    Thank all of you who have shared their stories about my Dad in the past 24 hours. Thank y’all for your Prayers too!!!

  4. Neely Sawyer / October 23, 2018 at 3:26 pm

    Ronnie was one of my favorite people on this earth. He had a ready smile and a hilarious joke 9/10ths of the time. He was, for me, a bright ray of sunshine on many rainy days. He had a huge heart and a ready wit. I cared about him very much and he will be sorely missed.

  5. JeffHuff / October 24, 2018 at 5:05 am

    I really got to know your dad when we both we’re officers at the moose lodge always ready to help raise money for a lot of worthwhile projects we became friends always a smile when we would talk Greg and Terry he will be sadly missed

  6. Dave A Treece / October 25, 2018 at 6:31 am

    I always enjoyed to see Ron pulling in to visit me at the Barn Hill asphalt plant that I ran for Wabash Asphalt, back in the 90’s and 2000’s, stopping in just to say hi and checking in to see if I were needing anything from Motion.
    He was the kind of guy that you have felt that you’ve known forever, and never forget. Always had a smile and story to tell.
    Rest In Peace ole friend, prayers out to the family, God has called one of the great ones home

  7. Nancy Abbott / October 27, 2018 at 12:09 am

    Ron, being an across the street neighbor, always waved “hi” as he passed my residence when he drove by. He and Martha introduced me with a “welcome neighbor” comment when I first moved to Albion in 2004. Will miss his “soothing” window candle lights each evening. RIP, dear Ron and know Martha will welcome you home!

  8. Mike Cowan / October 29, 2018 at 7:23 pm

    I always enjoyed visiting Ron at his shop. He came highly recommended from a friend in Eldorado. He often told me that I could ship him the magnetos, but I preferred to visit him because he was so much fun to talk to. He was a wealth of knowledge, and possessed a jovial spirit. I will miss him. He was the last mag expert I knew of. RIP Ron from your Morganfield friend.

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