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January 3, 2013

Russell 'Dean' Johnson

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DANVILLE — Russell “Dean” Johnson, 84, of Danville, passed away at 1:25 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013, at Provena United Samaritans Medical Center in Danville.

Dean was born Dec. 13, 1928, to Russell G. Johnson and Lettie (Marie) Griffy in Louisville. He married Dorothy Hockenberry on Oct. 26, 1952, in Danville. She survives.

Other survivors include his son, Bruce (Janice) Johnson of Danville; daughter, Linda (Randy) Elliott, also of Danville; grandchildren, Tanner, Grady and Parker Johnson, Eric (Kristy) Seymour, Ashley (Jim) Green and Adam Elliott; great-grandchildren, Max, Adison, Kaden, Ethan, Jaley and Paige; brother, Norvan Lee (Rosella) Johnson of Tinley Park; sister, Lyla Louise Stanford of Bethalto; and special nephew, Kenneth (Charlotte) Brown, of Ogden.

Dean was preceded in death by his parents and brother Donald.

A graduate of Louisville High, Dean worked at Hyster where he assembled forklifts. At home in the sky, Dean was a skilled pilot who had a passion for flying that lasted for 50 years. For several years he flew for Illiana Skydivers, although he never took the plunge himself, saying “Why would I want to jump out of a perfectly good airplane?”

Dean loved his family, spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and will be missed.

A celebration of Dean’s life will begin at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 4, at Sunset Funeral Home in Danville, with Pastor Heidle of Immanuel Lutheran officiating. Burial at Sunset Memorial Park in Danville. Visitation will be 9-11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 4, at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center, A Life Celebration Home, in Danville.

Memorials may be made in Dean’s name to Immanuel Lutheran. Condolences may be left at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.

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