Ben A. Johnson Jr.

Ben A Johnson Jr., 66 of Mapleton, Illinois, died at 12:07 P.M. Monday, January 3, 2011 at the OSF St. Francis Hospital Peoria. He was born June 14, 1944 in Peoria, Illinois to Ben A. and Dorothy (McWilliams) Johnson Sr. He married Ann U. Wooding on September 3, 1982 in Bartonville, Illinois. She survives. Also surviving are three daughters, Tracy Schwindenhammer of Bartonville, Illinois and Stacy George and Kasey Johnson both of San Antonio, Texas. Two Step sons, Rick Messmore of McHenry, Illinois and Rodney Messmore of East Peoria survive. Two Step daughters, Robin Martin and Rebecca Messmore of Tremont, Illinois survive. 19 Grandchildren and 3 Great Grandchildren survive. He is also survived by one sister, Sharon Belfield of Peoria, Illinois and one brother Larry Johnson of Tulsa, Oklahoma. He was preceded in death by his parents and one grandson (Kyle Martin).

Ben was a retired machinist at the Caterpillar Inc. for over 41 years retiring in July of 2009. He was a member of UAW #974 and served two years in the United States Army. He attended the Mapleton Church of Mapleton.

Ben was happily married for the last 28 years. He was a loving father, step father, grandfather and great grandfather. As a grandfather he loved fishing, teaching his grandchildren to drive and sang his favorite Indian song to them. He will be sincerely missed by his family and many friends at work and play.

Funeral services will be Friday, January 7, 2011 at 10:00 AM at the Davison-Fulton Bartonville Chapel. The Rev. Paul Oedewaldt will officiate. Visitation will be Thursday evening at the chapel from 4PM until 7PM . Cremation Rites will be accorded after the services and his ashes will be interred at the Maple Ridge Cemetery, Mapleton, Illinois at a later date. Memorials may be made to the Kidney Foundation.

View Ben’s life story at www.davison-fulton-bartonvillechapel.com.