JOHNSON Donald Theodore Johnson, age 89, of the Holmstad Retirement Community in Batavia, Ill., formerly of the Lordship section of Stratford, passed away Sunday, March 16, 2003 at Michealsen Health Center in Batavia, Ill. Donald was born February 23, 1914 in Bridgeport, the son of Axel and Ida (Karlsson) Johnson. He was united in marriage October 7, 1939 to Clara L. Anderson in East Providence, R.I. Don was an Eagle Scout and served as Scoutmaster of Troop 74 in Lordship for 32 years and was on the Pomperaug Council. He was an avid gardener having won many prizes for both flowers and vegetables while in the Stratford Garden Club. He also wrote a gardening column for Connecticut Magazine for several years. Don was much sought after as a public speaker due as much to his warm humor as well as his knowledge. Favorite topics included local lore, Civil War, nature and Native American history. He was a lifelong philatelist with extensive accumulations of stamps from the U.S., Sweden, and Great Britain. He served many years as Sunday School Superintendent and teenage teacher at his church. Don was an accomplished storyteller, and his campfire dissertations were legendary for many generations of Lordship youth. He is survived by his three children, Ted (Barbara) Johnson of Vass, N.C, Dwight (Bonnie) Johnson of Colombia, Md., and Deborah (Roger Vanoer) Johnson of Deerfield, Ill.; nine grandchildren, Elizabeth (George) Lantz of Weymouth, Mass., Jennifer Johnson of of New Orleans, La., Kimberly (Robert) Lesny of Jericho, Vt., Chad Johnson of Plano, Tx., Seth Johnson of Chicago, Ill., Eva, Carolyn and Samuel Vanoer of Deerfield, Ill., and Valerie Henderson of Chicago, Ill.; three great-grandchildren, George and Lauren Lantz and Ella Lensy; two sisters, Gertrude (Richard) Scofield of Stratford and Elizabeth Smith of Stratford. He is preceded in death by his parents; and his wife Clara L. Johnson, who died September 9, 2002. Memorial service will be held 1p.m. Friday, April 25, 2003 at Covenant Church of Easton, 1 Sport Hill Road, Easton. Rev. Craig Carlson will officiate. Private interment will take place at Lawncroft Cemetery in Fairfield. Contributions in his memory may be directed to Pilgrim Pines Conference Center, West Swanzey, NH 03469