Marilyn Louise Johnson, of Springfield, MO, age 68, went to heaven on December 13, 2011. She was born on August 8, 1943, in Harvey, IL, daughter of Harold and Mildred (Meyer) Bartels of Monee, IL. Marilyn was baptized as a child of God on August 29, 1943, and grew up on a dairy and grain farm south of Chicago. On June 19, 1965, she married Elias Johnson of Rochelle, IL, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Richton Park, IL. Marilyn attended Northern Illinois University and Missouri State University as a student and retired from MSU as an employee in 2002.
Her father, Harold Bartels, and an infant nephew, Neil Bartels, preceded her in death. Survivors include: her husband, Elias, and daughters Kristin (Aaron) Albers and Kimberly (Tom) Stagner, all of Springfield, and three grandchildren, Josh Albers, Nicole Albers and Grace Stagner. Also surviving are her mother, Mildred Bartels of Frankfort, IL, and brothers Kenneth (Karen) Bartels of Frankfort, IL, James Bartels of Lockport, IL, and Randall (Susan) Bartels of Peotone, IL. Nephews Douglas (Terri) Bartels of Las Vegas, NV, Brian (Amy) Bartels of Morton, IL, and niece Jackie (Matt) Creighton of Chatham, IL, are also survived. Marilyn was such an animal lover and leaves behind her three beloved dogs, Sasha, Pepper and Mickey.
A private burial was held at Greenlawn Memorial Gardens. A Memorial Service will be held on Friday December 23, 2011, at 11:00 am, at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 2852 South Dayton in Springfield. In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Redeemer-Nixa Building Fund or the following animal rescue agencies: CARE, Branson-Tri-Lakes Humane Society, Southwest Missouri Humane Society, Haven of the Ozarks, or SAAF (Spay-Neuter).
Services have been entrusted in Greenlawn Funeral Home South.