Leslie “Les” Allen Johnson, 78, of Litchfield, died at 9:09 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024, at Springfield Memorial Hospital surrounded by his loved ones.
Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday, Aug. 14, at 11 a.m. at the First Baptist Church of Litchfield. The Reverend Dr. Jason L. Plumer, pastor of First Baptist Church of Litchfield, and the Rev. Gary J. Schwab, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church and longtime childhood friend and classmate of Mr. Johnson, will officiate. Burial will be in the Elmwood Cemetery in Litchfield. Visitation will be held Tuesday from 4 until 7 p.m. at the Plummer Funeral Home in Litchfield.
Mr. Johnson was born April 1, 1946, in Litchfield. He is the son of Harwell C. and Alma Ruth (Sharp) Johnson. Mr. Johnson graduated from Litchfield Community High School, Class of 1964, and was looking forward to the class’s 60th reunion. He earned an associate’s degree in auto mechanics from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale in 1972. He was an ASE (automotive service excellence) certified mechanic. He was known for his work on transmissions and overall auto and diesel engine repair.
Mr. Johnson worked for over 35 years in the auto and truck service and repair field. His first employer was Brubaker Motor Co., followed by Hans R. Schmidt Motor Sales, both in Litchfield. Over his career, Mr. Johnson worked at other area dealerships and from his home. He retired from Ponder Equipment Co. in Litchfield.
Mr. Johnson was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes (type 1) as a young boy. He lived 71 years as a diabetic, with 70 of those years as insulin dependent. He forewent going to college after graduating from high school in order to work and assist his loving mother raise his siblings. He was the “best dad in the world,” according to his daughter and son.
Mr. Johnson was a member of the First Baptist Church of Litchfield, an avid St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan, enjoyed family gatherings and going to car and tractor shows.
He is survived by his daughter, Dana (Chad) Rice, and his son, Dan (Tiffany) Johnson both of Litchfield; four brothers, Ronald (Barbara) Johnson of Litchfield, Jerald (Janice) Johnson of Crete, Lloyd “Peanut” (Marci) Johnson and Robert A. (Cathy) Johnson, and his sister, Carol (Robert) Sneed, all of Litchfield; several nieces and nephews; and eight of what are known as “Bubba’s grandchildren,”Braden A. and Caleb Mazenko, Kendall L. and Connor J. Rice, Lee A. and Jacob J. Johnson and Cordell and Faythe T. Stocker.
The family asks for memorials to be directed to either Breakthrough T1D (Type 1 Diabetes Program) or the Litchfield Community High School FFA Program. To light a virtual candle, sign the online guestbook, or for directions, please visit www.plummerfuneralservices.com.
