Wiley E. "Buck" Johnson, 94, died at 2:36 p.m., Friday, January 8, 2021 at Jerseyville Manor Nursing Home.
He was born in Ruyle Township, Jersey County, Illinois, on August 29, 1926, one of ten children born to Wiley Edmund and Stella (Frost) Johnson.
He was a lifelong resident of Ruyle Township, and was a 1944 graduate of Medora Township High School. He was a lifetime farmer who took great pride in his work and relationships that he had built through the years. He was dedicated to work, his family and his church. A lifetime member of the Bethel Baptist Church in rural Jerseyville, he had served in many capacities throughout the years, including Trustee and Deacon.
He was also a bus driver for both the Southwestern and Jersey Community school districts, and was a talented carpenter, who also enjoyed gardening and mowing.
He married the former Betty Jean Eddinger on August 29, 1947 at the Bethel Baptist Church in Jerseyville, and together they built a marriage and partnership that would span nearly 73 years before her death on March 12, 2020.
Surviving are his son and daughter in-law, Marty and Deb Johnson of Medora; five grandchildren and their spouses, Jeremy and Jess Johnson, Justin and Esmeralda Johnson, April Cambron, and Paige Norris all of Medora, and Wiley Johnson, and his companion, Kasey DeMond of Godfrey; eleven great grandchildren, Kairegan, Briston, Layne and Josie Johnson, Christian and Hunter Johnson, Jerit, Mason and Lillian Cambron, and Van and Elaina Norris; a sister and brother in-law, Myrtle and Alan Fricker of Bethalto.
In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Lawrence Johnson, Charles Johnson and Pearl Johnson; and five sisters, Amanda Jane Bowker, Mildred Maple, Stella Moore, Mary Alice Luce and Vesta Burman.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, a private family visitation along with a private burial service at Medora Cemetery will take place.Rev. Joel Lohr will officiate.
Memorials may be given to the church he held so dear, Bethel Baptist Church in Jerseyville, in care of Crawford Funeral Home in Jerseyville, who is charge of the arrangements. Memories may be shared at www.crawfordfunerals.com.
