Rev. Elmer J. Johnson, 89, of Cropsey, IL, passed away Wednesday morning (November 24, 2010) at his residence.

Funeral will be held at 11:00am on Monday, November 29, 2010 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Colfax. Revs. Connie Frase and Corrine Blissard will be officiating.

Burial will be in Immanuel Lutheran Church Cemetery, Colfax.

Visitation will be held from 2-4:00 pm on Sunday, November 28, 2010 at Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Fairbury.

Elmer Justin Johnson was born July 22, 1921, to Gustav and Christiana (Klonderud) Johnson on the family farm near Mohall, North Dakota. He married Janet Frojen on July 1, 1950, in Finley, North Dakota.

Surviving are his wife; his son, Gregory J. Johnson (Lynne) of Richardton, ND; and five daughters, Sonia Shaw (Stan) of Ogden, IL, Janelle Weinzierl (Richard) of Urbana, IL, Joan Johnson (Dave Eloge) of Lincoln, NE, Jackie Filippini (Mike) of Lincolnwood, IL, and Cynthia Cope of Urbana, IL. Also surviving are seven grandchildren: Nathan Bauer, Erica Bourdon (Chris), Aaron Weinzierl, Adam Weinzierl, Darren Johnson, Kristin Johnson, and Mikey Filippini. He leaves one great-grandchild, Gustav Bourdon. His brother Wilbur Johnson (Lois) of Mohall, ND survives as well as many nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death were his parents and two sisters Gerda Kidder and Ella Kidder Rice.

Elmer received his Bachelor of Arts from Concordia College, Moorhead, Minnesota on June 5, 1950 and his degree of Graduate of Theology from Luther Theological Seminary, St. Paul, Minnesota on May 17, 1953.
Rev. Johnson was a Lutheran pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. He served as a pastor of Skoponong Lutheran Church, Palmyra, Wisconsin (1953-56); Immanuel Lutheran Church, Marseilles, Illinois (1956-61); St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church and Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Dubois, Indiana (1961-70); and Immanuel Lutheran Church, Colfax, Illinois (1970-86).

During his retirement Elmer continued to pursue his interests in photography, hunting pheasants, woodworking and refurbishing their home. He also served as an interim pastor and substituted in local congregations.

Memorials may be given to the Food Resource Bank through Immanuel Lutheran Church, Colfax, IL or St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Forrest, IL or to OSF hospice which has been a great blessing to the family.