Mrs. Patricia “Pat” M. Johnson, 86, of Knoxville, Illinois, died 4:10 a.m. Sunday, September 14, 2025, at OSF St. Mary Medical Center in Galesburg, Illinois.
She was born on September 2, 1939, in Ipava, Illinois, to Don and Sadie (Marshall) Atwater. She married Mike Johnson on September 12, 1964, in Galesburg. He preceded her in death in 1991.
Surviving are two daughters Susan (Mike) Webber of Knoxville and Shelley Willett of Knoxville, four grandchildren Chelsea Simkins, Justin (and Laura) Willett, Brittany (and David) Earhart, and Alex (and Trenton) Hopper, five great-grandchildren, Addison Hopper, Everson Hopper, Finley Willett, Wyatt Earhart, and Walker Earhart (with one more on the way), and was Aunt Pat to several nieces and nephew who she was very close to. She was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters, Barbara Brunner and Charlene Wolschlag.
She graduated from Yates City High School. She worked for 28 years at the Mary Davis Detention Home in Galesburg as an administrative assistant. After retirement, she volunteered for the Red Cross deploying for disasters. Her first deployment was Hurricane Katrina and would serve on more than 30 assignments in total. In 2015 she was honored as the Red Cross Volunteer of the Year. She made some lifelong friends during that time who we still treasure. Most people knew her as “Cub Pat” or “Grandma Pat”. Both of which she cherished. She was passionate about helping with the grandkids growing up and attending all of their events in school. Her favorite thing was going to their sporting events. She would travel anywhere to see them. She was their biggest fan and rarely missed a game. She was an avid Chicago Cubs, Bears, and Bulls fans.
As Pat requested, cremation will be accorded. A private committal service will be in the Knoxville Cemetery. A Celebration of Life visitation will be from 1- 3 p.m. Sunday, October 5, 2025, at the Knoxville American Legion. Memorials may be made to the Knox County Humane Society, American Cancer Society, or OSF St. Mary Auxiliary. Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Service Galesburg Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be shared at www.h-p-w.com.
