Avis de décès de Earl-M. Johnson - Nécrologie - MesAieux.com

Earl M. Johnson, 81 STANDISH -- Earl M. Johnson, 81, of Standish passed away Saturday, Feb. 21, 2009, after a brief illness. Earl was born Sept. 29, 1927, the son of Jens and Hazel Johnson in Moorhead, Iowa. He spent the first 20 years of his life in Iowa helping on the family farm. In 1948 he came to Maine and went to work for SD Warren Company in Westbrook. On Aug. 5, 1950, he married Ruby Christensen and they lived in the home they had built. Earl was drafted into the U.S. Army on Jan. 7, 1951. After basic training, he was sent to the 45th infantry Division in Korea. There he was a forward observer for the 81MM mortars. While in the trenches, he contacted Hemorrhagic Fever. He was flown by helicopter to a hospital in Seoul. Upon recovering, he returned to the 45th Division. The first Sunday back, the regiment was in a reserve position so he went to chapel. After the service, the Chaplain announced that he was looking for an assistant. From then on he became the Assistant to Chaplain Peter N. Holmes. When the Regiment was in combat, the Chaplain, and Earl as his assistant, conducted 28 services a week. The services never had more than ten to 12 men in attendance because of the ever present danger. After a year in Korea, Earl rotated home and was discharged Oct. 7, 1953, and went back to work at SD Warren. On Sept. 5, 1954, Ruby died suddenly just a week before the expected arrival of their first child. In 1956, Earl met Muriel Swett and on June 8, 1957, they were married. They both worked at SD Warren until retirement, each working there 41 years. Earl loved the outdoors and went on many trips, most of the time with Muriel with him. Together they enjoyed fishing in many different areas. For Earl, hunting and fishing were the same as the seasons allowed. Earl could not forget his time in Korea. The memories were vivid and night after night were sleepless. Finally, he asked a friend, Carol Clark if she would help him with a project to record his memories of Korea. He had the words and pictures and she had the talent to put it all together. When the story was complete in 2001, Carol sent a copy to the Chief of Chaplains in Washington, D.C. He in turn referred the writings to the lady in charge of Affairs for the U.S. Army Chaplaincy, Nella Hobson. Nella contacted Earl and he and Muriel drove to Ft. Jackson, Columbia, S.C. After Earl spoke to the Chaplains and with the Chaplains Historian, the decision was made that one wall in the Chaplains Museum should have the story 'The Chaplain and I in Korea' on display and the story on a lectern for all to read. This story in now shared via the internet and can be found at http://www.usachcs.army.mil/TACarchive/acsumfal00/Johnson.htm. Earl was predeceased by his brother Roy and sister Eloise. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Muriel S. Johnson; his brothers Willard and Ronald Johnson; 17 nieces and nephews; and many grandnieces and nephews. Earl, known as simply 'Uncle' to his family, will be long remembered for the life lessons he shared with each of them and for the values that he demonstrated through his actions everyday. He was living proof that hard work, honesty, faith in God and doing good deeds for others are the keys to a rewarding and successful life. He listened, he advised, he shared, he mentored, he loved. He truly didÉthe best that he could do. Visiting hours will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 24, at the Dolby Funeral Chapel, 434 River Rd., Windham, from 4-6 p.m. A funeral service will be held at the chapel on Wednesday, Feb. 25, at 10 a.m. Burial will be private in Woodlawn Cemetery, Westbrook. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to: Trinity Lutheran Church 612 Main St. Westbrook, Maine 04092 or to the Standish Rescue 175 North East Rd. Standish, Maine 04084 Earl M. Johnson