Irvin L Johnson, Sr.

PEKIN ~ Irvin Lawrence Johnson, Sr., 78, of 722 Park Avenue, passed away at 4:45 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 5, 2010 at Pekin Hospital.  He was formerly of Forest City.Born April 15, 1932 in Glasford to Irvin Leonard and Grace Katherine (Ines) Johnson, he married Shirley Marie Evans on March 17, 1955 in Bartonville.  She died Oct. 18, 2008 in Pekin.  He also was preceded in death by his parents; one infant daughter, Vickey Johnson and one sister. Surviving are two daughters, Teresa L. Coffey of Manito and Cindy M. Flaugher of Pekin; one son, Irvin L. Johnson, Jr. of Pekin; seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and one half-brother, George Chamberlin of Spring Lake.A United States Marine Corps veteran, Irvin served during the Korean War and attained the rank of Corporal.Irvin worked for Caterpillar, Inc. for 32 years as a millwright in East Peoria, retiring in 1982.  He was a member of UAW Local 974.  Following retirement, he worked for First Student and then Hoyle Transportation as a bus monitor.He was an avid bowler, fisherman and hunter.His funeral will be at 6 p.m. Thursday, September 9, 2010 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin, where visitation will be one hour before the funeral.  The Rev. Charles Everly will officiate.  Cremation will be accorded following the funeral.  Burial of his cremated remains will be in Camp Butler National Cemetery in Springfield at a later date.Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 2580 Federal Drive, Suite 403, Decatur, IL 62526.