Timothy Burt Johnson passed into his eternal home on October 13, 2025, following a ten-month bedridden period after suffering a stroke during open-heart surgery. He was born on May 28, 1939, to Nels and Florence Johnson in Benton, Ohio, and graduated from Berlin High School in 1957.
In September 1958, Tim began Army Basic Training at Fort Knox, Kentucky. After completing basic training, he attended a National Security Agency school at Fort Devens, Massachusetts. Out of a class of 83 hand-selected individuals, he graduated 4th. He was then assigned to the headquarters for the Northern Pacific, where he earned two meritorious promotions. Tim continued his military service with the Ohio National Guard until 1970.
Tim married his beloved wife, Marilyn, on December 14, 1979. They celebrated 46 years of marriage in December 2024. He is survived by Marilyn S. Johnson Maglott of Lucas; four sons: Michael (Nikki) Johnson of Bellville, James (Jesseca) Johnson, Jeffrey Johnson, and Jon (Chelsea) Johnson, all of Lucas; four grandsons: Collin, Brennan, Carson, and Mason Johnson; one granddaughter, Alyssa Johnson; and one sister, Patricia Grant of Lodi. He was preceded in death by his parents, Nels and Florence Johnson; brothers Bill, Gene, Jim, and Ron; and sisters Betty Dewalt and Peg Williams.
Following his military service, Tim worked at Rubbermaid in Wooster for 18 years, eventually serving as Sales Manager. He later became National Sales Manager for The Creative Circle in Los Angeles for 10 years. He also held leadership roles at The Pampered Chef as Vice President of Sales and worked as a sales consultant for Goldlinx Company in Canada.
Never one to settle into retirement, Tim owned and operated an antique mall and served as National Sales Manager for two federal firearms companies. His lifelong passion was American history. He was an avid collector of Native American artifacts and art, Western memorabilia, Revolutionary and Civil war artifacts, muzzleloading, historic guns and recurve bows, and a skilled craftsman who built 1700s-style flintlock rifles and pistols, engraved powder horns, knives, hunting bags, leather, bead, and porcupine quill work and accessories—earning numerous national awards for his artistry.
Tim loved spending time with family and friends, sharing stories, and reliving cherished memories. He was a devoted member of Christ Community Church of Ashland, where he served as an elder, led Sunday School, and participated actively on the fellowship committee.
The family will receive friends on Friday, October 17, 2025, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 p.m. at Wappner Funeral Directors, 98 S. Diamond St., Mansfield. Visitation will continue Saturday, October 18, 2025, at 1:00 pm, followed by funeral services at 2 p.m. at the funeral home, officiated by Pastor Luke Kelley of Christ Community Church. Burial will follow at Pleasant Valley Cemetery.
Contributions in memory of Tim may be made to Christ Community Church.
Wappner Funeral Directors – Mansfield is honored to serve the Johnson family.
