Mr. Lester C. Johnson Sr., 94, of Galesburg, Illinois, died at 2:40 p.m. Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Knox County Nursing Home in Knoxville, Illinois.
He was born May 18, 1931, in rural Carthage, Illinois, the son of Carl Fredric and Ella Katharena (Flesner) Johnson. He married Marcella I. Willhite on June 3, 1956, in Galesburg.
Surviving is his wife of nearly 70 years, Marcella I. Johnson of Galesburg; one son, Lester C. (Crystal) Johnson Jr. of St. Augustine, Illinois; two daughters, Becky L. (Kenneth) Hoosen of rural Galesburg and Nancy S. (Marty) Crow of rural Galesburg; his twin sister, Esther VanLoo of Scottsdale, Arizona; eight grandchildren; and 22 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Gloria Clay and Norma Wenona Smith; and a great-granddaughter, Reagan Jo Hoosen.
Lester attended schools in Elvaston, Illinois. He served in the United States Air Force and was stationed in Texas and Kansas. He was employed by Butler Manufacturing Company in Galesburg for 41 years, retiring on June 1, 1991. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Galesburg, where he was very active. Lester enjoyed woodworking, fishing, and golfing, and was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan. He especially loved attending his grandchildren’s sporting events.
Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, March 27, 2026, at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services Galesburg Chapel. The funeral service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 28, 2026, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Galesburg. Rev. Carrie Carnes and Rev. Tom Smith will officiate. Burial will be in East Linwood Cemetery, Galesburg, with military rites conducted by the Knox County Honor Guard. Memorials may be made to the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Online condolences may be shared at www.h-p-w.com.
