Louis Johnson

Louis Johnson, age 95, of rural Garwin, passed away Friday morning, August 14th, at the Israel Family Hospice Home in Ames.           Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, August 19th, at the Fellowship Baptist Church in Marshalltown with Pastor Mike Hargrave officiating. He will be laid to rest in the Dobson Cemetery near Garwin with full military honors by the combined American Legion and VFW Honors Guard in the Marshalltown area. Visitation will be one hour prior to the services at the church. Memorials may be directed to the church in his memory. The Mitchell Family Funeral Home is caring for Louis and his family. Ph. 641-844-1234.           Louie was born in Green Mountain, the son of Louis and Grace (Lane) Johnson, on October 13th, 1924. He grew up in the Green Mountain vicinity and graduated from the Green Mountain High School. He was one of nine children in his family.           Louie entered into the U.S. Marines Corps on August 28th, 1943, and served our country honorably during WWII in the pacific. He received his honorable discharge on January 10th, 1946 and signed on to remain in the reserves as a tank mechanic. On February 7th, 1948, he was united in marriage to Donna Thurston.           He started working for his uncle as a carpenter for a short time and then began work at Lennox Industries on October 21st, 1946. In October of 1951, he was called back to serve in the Marines, He was stationed in Barstow, CA, as a tank mechanic. He was discharged one year later in October of 1952, returning to work at Lennox. He stayed there until retiring in 1989 after 43 years.           Mr. Johnson was a faithful member of Fellowship Baptist- serving as deacon and head usher for many years. He enjoyed the farm and farm work, his kids, grandkids and great-grandkids, and taking his Oliver 66 Tractor to parades.           Louie leaves behind two daughters- Mary Ann Merrifield and Susan Ivens; one son- Joel (Shelle) Johnson; four granddaughters- Renee (Andy) Simmons, and Raelyn, Andrea and Erika Johnson; two grandsons- Patrick (Karen) Merrifield and Chris (Melissa) Merrifield; five great-grandsons- Derek, Bryce, Nathan and Josiah Merrifield and Marshall Simmons and three great-granddaughters- Noelle and Hallie Merrifield and Cheyenne Simmons.           He was preceded in death by his wife Donna.