Lyle Dean Johnson

Lyle Dean Johnson, 86, of Sun City, Az. and Niota, Il., formerly of Monmouth and Manhattan, Il., passed away Saturday, December 1, 2007 at the Hospice Center in Peoria, Az. Lyle was born on September 3, 1921 and raised on a farm near Monmouth. During WWII, he served in the U.S. Navy aboard the U.S.S. Ellett as a radio operator. After the war, he attended the University of Illinois and became an electrician. He married Virginia Rose Clark of Galesburg, Il. on March 20, 1948 in Logansport, In. They moved to Manhattan, Il. for Lyle's work at Service Pipeline. On September 29, 1984 he married Donna Russell Pilkington in Joliet, Il. Lyle retired from Amoco Pipeline in 1985 after 36 years of service. After retirement, he traveled and became a master dowser. He was a member of the American Legion Post #136, Monmouth, VFW Post #230/Monmouth, Elks Lodge #374, Ft. Madison, Ia., American Society of Dowsers, and was a 55 yr. Member of Masonic Lodge #919/Elwood. Il. He is survived by his wife, Donna, and 3 children from his first marriage, Dr. Margaret Johnson (Dr. Michael Bentley) of Peoria, Il, Carodeane (Pete) Armstrong of Ottawa, Il and Kevin (Lori) Johnson of Tinley Park, Il, 8 step-children, and 5 grandchildren. Lyle was preceded in death by his first wife, Virginia, his parents, Fredrick and Era Johnson, a brother Eugene Johnson, a sister Verdamae Johnson, and one son in childhood, Fredrick Lyle. Services:A celebration of the life of Lyle Johnson will be on Saturday December 15, 2007 at 10:00 am at Turnbull Funeral Home in Monmouth, Illinois. Cremation has been accorded. Military honors will be presented following the service. Memorial Funds are being established for either Disabled American Veterans, or the American Association of Dowsers. Turnbull Funeral Home in Monmouth is in charge of the arrangements.