Submitted by: Mary Jo Koran

JOHNSON

Cullers

Gilligan

Greenlee

Johnson-Filley

Johnson-Greenlee

Tharp

SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE – October 23, 1999

Francis W. Johnson

Feb. 9, 1915 - Oct. 20, 1999

PLYMOUTH - Francis Wilson John-son, 84, a prominent retired funeral director, former Mayor of Plymouth and outstanding citizen, has died.

Affectionately known as "Barney," Francis, a former resident of 309 Marlou Place, died at 11 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 20, 1999, in the East Lake Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Elkhart, Ind. He had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease in 1997.

Francis was born on Feb. 9, 1915, in Gibson City, Ill., to Ralph E. and Effie B. Cullers Johnson.

The family moved to Marshall County in 1919 when Ralph went into business with his brother, Floyd. Together they formed the Johnson Brothers Furniture and Undertaking establishment, located on the corner of South Michigan and LaPorte Streets where the Rees Theater is now.

He graduated from Lincoln High School in the class of 1933. Active in school sports, he held the pole vaulting record for 17 years. He served on the Plymouth High School Distinguished Alumni Committee.

Francis graduated from the Indiana School of Mortuary Science in 1938. He then joined his father in funeral service in the establishment located at 1100 N. Michigan St., where it is today.

On Jan. 2, 1942, Francis was inducted into the United States Army. He served 3 ½ years as a First Sergeant in the 469th Medical Collecting Company in the European Theater of World War II. His unit liberated the prisoners from the Nazi Dachau concentration camp.

On Sept. 5, 1943, Francis and Martha E. Tharp were married in Plymouth. Martha died on June 12, 1987.

After Francis was discharged from the Army, he returned to Plymouth and rejoined his father in funeral service.

His father died in July of 1947: that November, Francis was elected Mayor of the City of Plymouth; at 32 years old, he was the youngest mayor elected in Indiana that year. He served a term from 1948 to 1952.

Francis participated in many community activities. He was always interested in the Plymouth community and gave freely of his time and resources.

Besides serving as Mayor he was: president of the Plymouth Chamber of Commerce; president of the Kiwanis Club; president of the Plymouth Community School Board and president of the Plymouth Community School Building Corporation. He was chairman of the Plymouth Planning Commission for 12 years.

He was a member of the first Marshall County Aviation Committee. An avid golfer, he served as vice-president and board member of the Plymouth Country Club. Francis was also on the Board of Directors of the Marshall County Bank and Trust Company, now known as First Source Bank.

He was a Commander of the Veteran's of Foreign Wars Post 1162, a member of the American Legion Post 27 and a Scoutmaster for five years.

He was county chairman of the American Red Cross and served on the board of directors of the Community Chest, a forerunner of the United Way.

He was a member of the Plymouth Kilwinning Masonic Lodge. A 32nd degree Mason, he was a member of South Bend Commandery, the Scottish Rite of South Bend and the Fort Wayne Shriner Mizpah Temple (A.A.O.N.S.).

He held membership in the Moose and Eagle Lodges and was a charter member of the Elks Lodge. He was on the Board of Directors for Campfire Girls and was a director on the first Board of Plymouth Industrial Development Company (PIDCO).

He was a trustee, chairman of the Finance Committee and a Sunday School teacher in the First United Methodist Church, where he had been an active member since 1927.

In 1979, he was named Plymouth's Most Distinguished Citizen by the Jaycees.

He owned and operated the Johnson Funeral Home for more than 30 years. Over the years, he served hundreds of Plymouth area families in their time of need. Funeral service in his family's tradition was his life. He was compassionate, caring and committed to providing service in a dignified manner.

Francis is survived by two daughters: Sally L. Johnson-Greenlee, Plymouth, and Sue E. Johnson-Filley and her husband, Scott, Elkhart, and three granddaughters. They are: Gina C. Greenlee, Plymouth, Jourdan F. Johnson-Filley and Spenser L. Johnson-Filley, both of Elkhart.

Brother and sister-in-law, Max E. and Marian Tharp, Plymouth, and sister-in-law, June Gilligan, Boone, N.C., survive together with two nephews and two nieces.

Francis was preceded in death by his wife, Martha, his parents and a sister, Ina B. Johnson.

Friends may visit with the family from 2 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, October 23, 1999, in the Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, 1100 N. Michigan St., Plymouth.

Funeral services, officiated by the Rev. Al Kundenreich, pastor of the First United Methodist Church, will be in the funeral home on Sunday, October 24, 1999, at 2 p.m.

Interment in New Oakhill Cemetery will be accompanied by military honors accorded by Veterans of Foreign Wars, Marshall County Post 1162.

Memorial gifts in Francis' memory may be made to the First United Methodist Church Restoration Fund or to the Alzheimer's Association.