James T. “Jim” Johnson, 85, of Knoxville, passed away on Tuesday, December 13, 2022, at OSF St. Mary’s Medical Center, Galesburg.
Jim was born on January 27, 1937, in Peoria. He was the son of Harold and Nellie (Johnson) Johnson. He married Virginia Rapalee on June 27, 1959, in Peoria. Together they celebrated 63 years of marriage. Jim is survived by his loving wife, Virginia; his children, Michael Johnson and Karen (Michael Loos) Johnson, both of Gilson, Illinois; grandchildren, Brittni (Blake Carr) Johnson, Samantha (Aaron) Shinn, Jesse (Paige Fox) Wenger, Cheyenne Johnson, and Addilyn Wenger; great-grandchildren, Dawson Harris, Rhyan Shinn, Ridge Shinn, and Jameson Wenger; sisters, Pat (Dick) Smith of Sandy, Utah and Susan Martin of Decatur, Illinois. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law Rusty Martin.
Jim was a 1955 graduate of Brimfield High School. He attended Milliken and Bradley Universities. He graduated from the University of Iowa with a Bachelor’s of Science in Mechanical Engineering. He was a Quality Control Engineer at Butler Manufacturing for 15 years. On February 14, 1974, Jim followed one of his deepest passions and started farming full-time. He was a member of the Grace Lutheran Church of Knoxville and the Knox County Farm Bureau. He was a hard worker, known for tinkering and collecting of model tractors. Jim was a devoted family man, his family and his farm always came first, including his love of his dogs and all his animals. He was loved by many and will be greatly missed.
Cremation rites have been accorded. A private family memorial service will be held at Grace Lutheran Church. A celebration of Jim’s life will be Sunday, December 18, 2022, from 10 am to 1 pm at Hidden Hills Winery, Knoxville. Memorials can be made to Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance or Grace Lutheran Church in Knoxville. Hurd-Hendricks Funeral Homes and Crematory, Knoxville have been entrusted with arrangements. Online condolences and/or expressions of sympathy may be sent through www.hurd-hendricksfuneralhome.com
