Mr. Johns made art an experience.  He was my pottery teacher, jewelry teacher, and sculpture teacher at Larkin High School in the late 1960s and early 1970s.  He was very patient, and very passionate about the process and creation of meaningful art.  The results speak for themselves.  Mr. Johns taught many wonderful techniques that I still employ.  Thank you, Mr. Johns, for giving of yourself, to countless art students for so many years.

My condolences to Don's family. Don was my classmate and fellow sports teammate for the Elgin High School class of 1954. I last saw Don when I held a reunion of our championship football team back in 2002. He was a great guy. May he rest in peace with our Lord in Heaven.
Joe Cerasa

Prayers for your comfort and peace Ken, Colleen, Kelsie and Travis. You are in our thoughts. Sending much love,
Janet and John, Beth, David, Addie and Kessie

My relationship with John was as a student at Orange St Pottery. He was generous with his time and ideas. He built a raku kiln, installed it in the rear of my studio himself with great pride and ingenuity. His gentleness and creative gifts will be remembered

Don was a man of incredible grace, kindness, imagination, and skill. Having taken classes with him for years, I can't look at or create a piece of pottery without seeing it through his eyes, aesthetically and functionally. We students watched him create in awe. He was a man of great faith, and counted his blessings despite many difficulties he experienced in his life. A great example to us all. My prayers go out for his family. We will all miss him so much.

Ken, Colleen, Kelsey, Travis, our thoughts and prayers are with you. Praying for love and peace. May your dad/granddad rest in peace.
Love, Phil & Barbara

I am hearing all your stories in my head today of your family, your dreams for the future, your excitement for the future grandchild. You were a spinning top of raw emotion and artistic creativity and a deep well of compassion. You were loved by anyone who brushed by your clay dust sleeve.

Don Johns was my art teacher in 1974/75 at Larkin HS in Elgin Illinois and one of my favorite teachers ever.   He somehow elevated the legitimacy of a simple art class to something more important. I walked away from his classes with a greater understanding of what art can be and how it can empower you in life.  The art students at Larkin were lucky to have experienced Dons expertise and dedication to his craft.   Thanks Mr. Johns.

I consider Don my pottery mentor. His teaching was unmatched. I was blessed to be able to work under him for many years at Orange Street in Wilmington. Now that I teach pottery, I often think about what Don would do in any situation. He was a gentle and kind in the way he mingled among us quietly watching us work, or how he would take a piece of clay and show us exactly how to do something. The experience he offered forever changed my art. My condolences to his family. Thank you for sharing his master with us.

Hello, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. It was always such a treat for us children to come over to the Johns home. I remember Helen taking my sister & I swimming with Terry & Kenny. We were fortunate to watch Don create many works of art. Much love is sent. My Mom is Pat Henrys a friend of the family from the late 1960's Carol Henrys Van Der Snick

I was very fortunate to have Don as a teacher in pottery. He demonstrated the best qualities of a teacher.  He cared, he modeled, he assisted, he advised, and he stretched the possibilities for himself and for his students, and he did all these things with good humor.  He will be sorely missed.

Don was my  colleague, collaborator and caring friend. His faith in my abilities brought me into the H.S. art classroom. From his example my life was enriched.

Ensuing years brought both heartache and joy. We shared life's peaks and valleys.  We shared our firm faith. We prayed. We laughed.

I grieve him now, rejoicing in release from common concerns.  Don is home.  He leaves a vast void in my heart.
Peace to his memory.

Paul Carlson, Belfast Maine

God has given us a life span of 70-80 years if we are especially strong. May the family and friends of Donald celebrate a life well lived  and loved by many. Psalms 90:10

So sorry for your loss. Don Johns was a ceramic artist who was admired by many. I was fortunate to be able to take a pottery class with him. Don gave so much of himself to each one of us in the class. I remember sitting with him and sharing ideas and thoughts about pottery, life, etc.  He was a special person and he will be truly missed.

Don was an amazing teacher, a gifted potter and a humble human being. I worked with him for many years at Orange St. He influenced not only my work, but  willingness to share his knowledge made me realize that knowledge isbest when shared. The planet will be a lesser place without him on it. So sorry for your loss

Don was one of the best people I have ever met. As a teacher he was unequaled. His goal was to give everything of himself to his students. As a student I will promise to share everything he has taught me and to always share the story of what a fine man he was.

OBITUARY

Donald Johns

30 December, 1935 – 31 December, 2017

Oleander Memorial Gardens

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