Daniel "Dan" James Johnson

Dan Johnson passed away peacefully at the age of 80 at Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital on Sunday. He was an amazing son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend. He was also a teacher, a lifelong learner, a fisherman, and a woodworker. A proud Catholic, Dan joined the seminary after high school, taught CCD classes, started several adult book study groups, and was always a part of making the church community the best that it could be. He met his wife, Cathy, of over fifty years, while studying at Northern Illinois University. The bulk of his career was spent developing and growing the Graphic Arts Department at Triton College, a community college located in River Grove, Illinois. Cathy and Dan moved to Marengo, Illinois in 1982 with their two children Natalie and Greg. After he retired, Dan took up woodworking and loved fishing with friends and family. He and Cathy enjoyed visiting their daughter in Manitou Springs, Colorado, and spending time with Greg’s kids and grandkids. With an infectious laugh and humorous style, Dan made sure that everyone had their favorite “Dan” joke or story to remind them of his life–a life well lived.

He is survived by his 103-year-old mother Jeanne, his wife Cathy, his siblings, Jo Ann (Ray), Karen, and Eddie (Lynn), his children, Natalie and Greg, his grandchildren, Adam, Jesse, Simon, and Connor, and his great-grandchildren Carter and Cameron.

A service will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Marengo, IL on Saturday, June 7th at 1:30 pm. Join family and friends after the service for a reception at Maple and Hash in Pingree Grove from 3-6 pm. Consider sharing your favorite Dan joke or story.

In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made in his memory to the Marengo Food Pantry at 829 Greenlee Street, Marengo, IL 60152 or 815.568.7950 or marengomorecenter.org. Checks should be made out to MORE.