Stephen William Johnson, 82, passed away January 24, 2021 in Roseville, Illinois. He was born August 17, 1938 to the late Dr. William and Evelyn Johnson, Galesburg, Illinois.
Stephen was a 1956 graduate of Galesburg High School. Following high school, he attended Penn State University where he played football and studied Animal Husbandry. He later studied at Western Illinois University and was a member of the swim team.
August 17, 1957 Stephen married Beverly R. McCoy and she survives in Cameron. Three children came of this union, all of whom survive: Stephen JR. of Cameron; Susan Gullstrand of Oneida and Scott (Leslie Garner) Johnson of Bartonville. Surviving are six grandchildren: Krystal (John) Bellamy of Round Rock, AZ; Heather Krohe of Macomb; Amber (Trent) Patrick of Industry; Jessica Boone Benson of Wataga; Alexandria Garner of Bartonville; Grant (Jenny) Gullstrand of Woodhull. They also have ten great-grandchildren: Alec Bellamy, Eric Bellamy, Dylan Bellamy, Mariyah Boone, William Krohe, Arthur C. Krohe, LeeRoy Benson, Charley Patrick, Jett Patrick and Vada Gullstrand.
Stephen was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend to many. He enjoyed raising purebred livestock and grain farming. Willow Creek Farm was established in Cameron where Stephen was the herdsman of the purebred Angus herd. He later became co-owner to Maplevale Farm, also of Cameron, home of purebred Limousin cattle. Stephen was one of the founding members of the Illinois Limousin Breeders Association, as well as a lifetime member and was a lifetime member of the American Angus Association. When not working on the farm, he was a laborer at Butler Manufacturing, Galesburg, where he retired after 34 years. He later served on the Warren County Board. Stephen was an avid Pittsburg Steelers and New Orleans Saints football fan. He enjoyed watching his sons and grandson play football. This love of football also led him to volunteer as a Specials Teams assistant to the Warren Warriors football team kickers. When he had the opportunity, Stephen loved to golf. His friends on the CB radio knew him as “Bald Eagle” and he loved to converse on the Ham radio with his Novice Operators license. Being of Norwegian descent, Stephen was extremely proud of his heritage and claimed his family represented it well.
Stephen has one surviving brother, David (Alice) Johnson of Phoenix, AZ and sister-in-law Nancy Johnson of Bear, DE. His parents, brother Michael and sister Brunhilde (Ralph) Wesser preceded him in death.
Please sign the online guestbook at www.wisefamilyfuneralhome.com. Wise Funeral Home, Roseville is in charge of arrangements. Private family services will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Wise Funeral Home to assist the family in services, Illinois Cancer Care Foundation https://illinoiscancercarefoundation.org/donate/, Alzheimer’s Association- Illinois
