Donald Donnie Johnson, Jr.

Donald 'Donnie' G. Johnson, Jr., 66, of Palestine, IL, died Friday, July 8, 2016 at Carle Foundation Hospital in Champaign, IL. He was born February 12, 1950 in Elwood, IN, the son of Donald Gene Johnson, Sr. & Dorothy Pauline (Short) Johnson. Donnie married Michelle Fowler on May 30, 2004, and she survives. He is also survived by his daughters, Amanda & Kenneth Wright (Kokomo, IN), Shelly Pauline Johnson (CA), Lacey Slavens & fianc Joshua Bowling (Oblong, IL), and Chancie Slavens & fianc Zachary Songer (Robinson, IL); by his grandchildren, Brittany Wright, Nick Wright, Molly Cooper, Joshua Bowling, Alexander Bowling, Aiden Slavens, Abbygale Powell, and Ava Songer; by his mother, Pauline Hunter (Tipton, IN); by his brother, Dan & Sherrie Johnson (Elwood, IN); by his sisters, Shirlie & Jerry Holmes (Mount Vernon, IN), Diana & George Penrod (Danville, IL), Paula & David Shank (Burksville, KY), Misti & Ron Evans (Kokomo, IN), and Melody & Hans Eby (Tipton, IN); by his mother-in-law, Shirley Doolittle; by his sister-in-law, Rhea Beckler; by his brother-in-law, Dean Heath; by his sister-in-law & brother-in-law, Rayanne & Jack McGovern; by several nieces and nephews; by his best friends, Ziggy, Ron Bovin, and Bob Bovin; and by his faithful companion, Sam E’Dog. He was preceded in death by his father, Donald G. Johnson, Sr.; by his sister, Janice Harper; by his brothers, Larry Johnson and Douglas Johnson; and by his grandson, Adam Cooper. Donnie proudly served his country in the U.S. Army, having spent 1967-1970 in Korea and Vietnam. By the time he was honorably discharged at the rank of Specialist Fourth Class, he had earned numerous decorations, including the Bronze Star. Later on in life, he focused most of his energies towards his family, especially his beloved grandchildren. Donnie was a member of the Robinson V.F.W. Post #4549, the Robinson American Legion Post #69, the Palestine AmVets Post #33, and the Palestine Fraternal Order of Eagles #3329. A time of visitation will be held from 12:00-2:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 16th at the Goodwine Funeral Home in Palestine. Funeral services will follow and will be held at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor Tim Watson officiating the service. Burial will follow in the Oak Grove Cemetery, with military rites being conducted by the combined Robinson V.F.W. Post #4549, Robinson American Legion Post #69, Flat Rock American Legion Post #132, and Palestine AmVets Post #33.