REV. VAN JOHNSON

PUXICO -- The Rev. Van C. Johnson, 82, of Willow Springs died Sunday, June 28, 1998, at Cox South Medical Center in Springfield.

He was born Jan. 4, 1916, in Stoddard County, son of Sol and Lydia Russ Johnson. He and Bessie Mae Morgan were married Dec. 19, 1934, at Fisk. She died May 15, 1973. He and Irene Parth were married Nov. 4, 1973.

Johnson was ordained a General Baptist minister in 1953, and had pastored churches in California, Oklahoma, Illinois, and Missouri. He organized and pastored Grace General Baptist Church in Dexter, which was his last pastorate.

After retiring he taught Bible studies in his home and in various churches in Southeast Missouri.

Survivors include his wife; two sons, Jerry Johnson of Springfield, Delaine Johnson of Drexel; two daughters, Sharon O'Dell of Springfield, Doris Thatcher of Lincoln; a brother, Sol Johnson of Sikeston; a sister, Gladys Reason of Wentzville; 15 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by two sisters and three brothers.

Friends may call at Watkins and Sons Funeral Home in Puxico from 5-8 p.m. today.

Funeral will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at Corinth General Baptist Church near Puxico. Burial will be in Rock Hill Cemetery near Puxico.