Robert "Bob" D Johnson

Robert “Bob” Deane Johnson, age 93, of Union, passed away in the peace of his home on Monday, September 7th, in the town he loved.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Union Church of Christ. He will be laid to rest in the Union Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Friday, September 11th, at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home in Marshalltown from 5-7:00 p.m. Memorials may be directed to his family.

Born on May 6th, 1933, in Union, he was the son of George Errol “Huck” and Ardis K. (Froning) Johnson. He grew up in Union and graduated from the Union High School in 1950 and the Ellsworth Community College in 1953. While at Ellsworth, he was awarded “Athlete of the Year 1953” participating in baseball and basketball. Bob always said he grew up in the best years of Union in the late 30’s, 40’s and the early 50’s. He was heartfelt that there was no place to grow up like Union. Bob was proud of his “Athlete of the Year” from Ellsworth and was passionate about Union history, earning him the unofficial title of town historian. He collected Union memorabilia.

On November 6th, 1954, he was united in marriage to Margaret Jessup at the Liberty Friends Church near Clemons. They shared 63 ½ years working and spending married life together at the time of her passing in 2018.

For many years he was employed with Johnson-Hauser, Johnson Grain and Milling and for 22 years at South Hardin Rec Center as the greens superintendent, co-managed with Margaret. An 18 wheeler became life on the road for he and Margaret when golf season was down. They drove coast to coast for Ray Willits for 10 years and did some seasonal fertilizer hauling for Union Co-Op.

For over 70 years, Bob served as a deacon at the Union Church of Christ and was a lifelong member. He also served his community on the Union-Whitten School Board for two terms, ten years on the Union City Council, the Union Booster Club, S.H.R.A. Board, the Union Volunteer Fire Department for an amazing 55 years (many years as chief) and numerous event committees as well. The last year he served on the S.H.R.A. in 2006, he was one of six greenkeepers nominated for Superintendent of Greens for 9 hole golf courses in Iowa. He was very proud of that nomination in his life. For over 20 years, he shared many fond memories with Mag in Rio Grande Valley in South Texas.

Surviving are his four sons: Kim (Judy), Pat, Jan (Sharon) and Kipp (Jana); five grandchildren-Britni, Jamey, Sydney, Carson and Casey; five great-grandchildren-Clara, Henry, Everett, Waylon and Kaden as well as many cousins and good friends.

Preceding him in death were his parents Errol and Ardis, brother Lynn and wife, Margaret.