Erwin Johnson

Erwin Andrew "Erv" Johnson, 97, of Cape Girardeau died Monday, Feb. 2, 2015, at Saint Francis Medical Center.

Erwin was born May 19, 1917, in Deansville, Wisconsin, to Andrew and Mary Hamshire Johnson. He and Elinor Roesling of Janesville, Wisconsin, were married and shared 66 wonderful years together, golfing, playing cards, parenting and traveling to all 50 states with family. In 2005 he and Elinor moved to Cape Girardeau to be closer to family and became members of Old St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church.

Erwin attended Barnes School of Business in Denver three years, becoming controller for the Power Systems Division of Colt Industries operation in Beloit, Wisconsin, where he retired in 1982. Jokingly, he described himself as a "bean counter" 29 years. He was an ardent fan of the Green Bay Packers and held stock certificate No. 9 issued in 1953.

He served with the United States Army Air Force during World War II, attached to the 14th Air Force (Flying Tigers) stationed in central China. Erv lived his life joyfully, full of curiosity and with a love of knowledge.

Survivors include a son, Richard Johnson of San Ramon, California; a daughter, Mary (James) Maginel of Tamms, Illinois; grandchildren, Justin (Lucia) Macklin, Troy Macklin, Calvin Maginel and Katie (David Luken) Maginel; and great-grandchildren Madisyn, Ethan and Jagger Macklin.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; three sisters, Marie, Beatrice and Marcella ("Sally"); and a daughter-in-law, Angela Gill-Johnson.

Visitation will be from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home, with parish prayers/memorial tribute at 4.

Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Monday at Old St. Vincent's Church, with the Rev. Allan Saunders officiating. Burial will be at 2:30 p.m. Monday in Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, with full military honors by Missouri Honor Guard.

Memorial contributions may be given to Catholic Social Ministries (St. Mary's Food Pantry), 615 William St., Cape Girardeau, MO 63703, or Wounded Warrior Project, 4899 Belfort Road, Suite 300, Jacksonville, FL 32256.

Online condolences may be made atfordandsonsfuneralhome.com.