Herbert A. Johnson

Herbert A. Johnson, 94, a resident of Amber Ridge Memory Care, Moline, IL passed away Wednesday, April 18, 2012, with family at his side. Mr. Johnson had also resided in the Milan and Illinois City area during his lifetime.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, April 24, 2012 at Esterdahl Mortuary & Crematory, Ltd., 6601 38th Avenue, Moline. Visitation is from 4 to 7 p.m. on Monday, April 23, 2012 at the funeral home, with a Masonic Service conducted at 7 p.m. by the Buffalo Prairie Masonic Lodge #679 A.F. & A.M. Entombment will be at Rock Island Memorial Park Cemetery with military honors conducted by the Moline American Legion Post # 246. Memorials may be to the: Alzheimer's Association, Beacon of Hope Hospice, Buffalo Prairie United Presbyterian Church or a charity of your choice.
Mr. Johnson was born January 20, 1918 in Moline, IL, a son of Eric A. and Svea Z. (Swanson) Johnson. He attended Moline public schools graduating from Moline High School in 1936. Herb was united in marriage to Lois R. Crompton, on July 2, 1941. They were devoted to each other until her passing in April 2000. Mr. Johnson started out working at McLaughlin Body in 1935. In 1937 he enrolled in one of the first Apprentice classes at the Rock Island Arsenal and in 1941 he became a Tool & Die Maker for the Arsenal. In 1945 Herb was called to serve his country in the U.S. Army over in Europe. Upon returning from active duty in 1947 Herb was engaged in farming with family in lower Rock Island County and also was intermittently employed with Hon Industries where he again served as a Tool & Die Maker. In 1956 Herb moved his family to California where he worked as a manufacturing engineer with the Consolidated Electro-Dynamics Corporation. From 1958 until his retirement in October 1976 he served in various positions with the Rock Island Arsenal. The last position he held was that of, Chief of Commodity Management & Customer Relations Office. He served on the Rockridge Board of Education from April 1967 to April 1970. Herb enjoyed a long time membership in the Buffalo Prairie Presbyterian Church serving faithfully in the many church offices. He was also a 50 year member of the Buffalo Prairie Masonic Lodge No. 679 A.F. & A.M.. Herb enjoyed traveling, collecting antiques and fishing. He and Lois spent many summers in Chetek, WI catching the "big ones". His greatest enjoyment was time spent with family and good friends.
He is survived by his two daughters, Cynthia Rettig-Boney and her husband David of Sacramento, CA, and Rebecca S. Danner and her husband Merle of Illinois City, IL. He will be deeply missed by his grandchildren Tracy Bayne and her husband (Philip),Taylor Ridge, IL, Mike Rettig and his wife (Annette), Rock Island, IL, Kimberly Beckman and her husband Carleton "Hank" Beckman, Illinois City, IL, and Jeremy Danner, Plainfield, IL. Herb is also survived by seven great grandchildren that he was so proud of, Kayla Noble and her husband (Bailey) Coralville, IA, Kyle Rettig, Iowa City, IA, Mitchell and Madison Bayne, Taylor Ridge, IL, Ashley & Allison Beckman, Illinois City, IL, and Lilian Danner, Plainfield, IL. He is also survived by a sister-in- law Pauline Crompton, Illinois City, IL, and three nieces - Susan (Bill) Hubbard, North Augusta, SC , Stephanie Crompton, Moline, IL, and Jacquelyn (Russ) Hofer, Illinois City, IL.
He was preceded in death by his wife Lois, his parents Eric and Svea Johnson, sister Stella Calhoun, and brother-in law, Kenneth Crompton.
The family would like to thank the entire staff of Amber Ridge Memory Care for the wonderful compassion and care they gave Herb over the last several years. We would also like to thank Beacon of Hope Hospice who went above and beyond to care for Herb during these last few days.