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Lynwood Gale Johnson was born on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 26, 1931, to Irvin and Anna (Nightingale) Johnson near Halstead, Kan. After several days of abnormal health, he was admitted to Texas County Memorial Hospital on Nov. 20, 2020. In the evening, he quietly slipped away with family by his side. He was almost 89 years of age.
Dad told many happy stories of growing up with three brothers, Verle, Calvin, and Galen and two sisters, Shirley and LaDonna. They were secure in their Christian home. In his youth, he received the new birth and was baptized into the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite, on April 2, 1944, at Halstead, Kan., by Minister Carl Dirks. On March 23, 1952, dad married Darlene Dirks and they made their home near Halstead, Kan. God blessed them with three girls. Before our parents were married nine years, our sweet mother became ill and left us for heaven. Dad silently carried the pain of his deep loss through his life. In time, God led him to a beautiful lady He had prepared just for our little family. He married Elsie Nightengale on Dec. 2, 1962. They lived joyfully, providing for our needs and always finding time for special events. Family was most important to dad. We made many, many trips to be with family after we moved to Scott City, Kan., in 1964. Farming and raising cattle in the west suited him. Dad’s heart was broken a second time as his youngest daughter, Janet, suffered through a terminal illness. We knew, without his saying but by his living, that once again he accepted what came from the hand of God.
In retirement years, dad and mother moved to Mountain Grove to reside by family. Grief came a third time when he said goodbye to his dearest companion, Elsie, on June 12, 2015. Dad moved to Country Living Assisted Living in May 2018, where he again made friends with his cheerful outlook, merry eyes and wit that brought smiles to those around him. He had the gift of words perfect for the moment.
We grieve deeply the loss of this gentle, generous, kind, soft-spoken man. Those grieving this loss are two daughters, Lynette and Mark Haynes, of Middleton, Mich., and Bethine and Gary Schmidt, Mountain Grove; six grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Shirley Koehn, of Brooksville, Miss., and Ladonna Hauder, of Barnett; the Dirks, Nightengale and Johnson families; and many friends. Graveside services for Lynwood Johnson were held Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2020, at 2 p.m. at the Mountain Grove Mennonite Church Cemetery. The services were officiated by the Mountain Grove Mennonite Ministry and song selections were sung by the Mennonite Church Choir.
Burial was in the Mountain Grove Mennonite Church Cemetery under the direction of Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home, Mountain Grove. Memorial contributions may be made to Texas County Memorial Hospital in care of the funeral home. Online condolences: www.craighurttfuneralhome.com.
