On Thursday April 18, 2013, Russell H. Johnson peacefully passed away at Dove Healthcare surrounded by his family, he was 96 years old. He was born November 23, 1916, in Fairchild, Wisconsin to Richard L. and Bessie (Cass) Johnson, the fourth of five children. At the age of two his family moved to Shawtown in Eau Claire. He attended elementary and high school in Eau Claire as well as graduated from Eau Claire Teachers College in 1939 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education. Early in his teaching career, WWII broke out and he enlisted in the Army with the 33rd Division. He served in the Pacific Theater as a Staff Sergeant with the 210th Field Artillery and was on active duty in the Philippines and also deployed to Kyoto, Japan at the end of the war. He was honorably discharged on December 23, 1945, at which time he returned to Eau Claire and began working at the U.S. Rubber Company, which eventually became Uniroyal. While working there he met the love of his life, Patricia McConville and they were married July 27, 1946. Russ continued to work at Uniroyal for the next 34 years. He was a valued employee at Uniroyal ending his career as the Superintendent of the Tread Department. He made many friends while working at Uniroyal and had many fond memories of the good people he worked with there, he retired in 1979. After retirement, Russ successfully ran for the County Board in 1983 and continued to serve until 1994. He enjoyed being a member of the Board and took the responsibilities seriously; he always enjoyed doing his best to serve the interests of the Eau Claire community. Russ and Pat had four children, Linda, Sandra, Richard and Craig. He was an avid family man, spending his free time in activities that involved the whole family. He was also a very spiritual man and he and his wife have been active members of St. James the Greater Catholic Church their entire married life. When it came to enjoying free time, he loved to go fishing for sunfish and especially ice fishing, spending a lot of time in the Chetek area with family and friends, occasionally taking a trip to Canada to fish for the big ones. After Russ retired, Pat learned to golf and even though he always looked forward to it, it bugged him a little when she would beat him. They golfed regularly and spent many hours on golf courses and in Gulf Shores, Alabama with their close friends the Procks and the Mickelsons. Russ is survived by his wife of 66 years Patricia; daughter, Linda (Larry) Berger; son, Richard (Lori); brother, Clyde of Atlanta, Georgia; grandchildren, Emily (Cory) Dahl and Colin (Kristina); one great-grandson Cohen; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his children, Sandra and Craig; his parents, Richard and Bessie; his sister, Myrl; and brothers, Eugene (Beulah) and Howard (Willamena). Mass of Christian Burial will be at 12 p.m. noon on Tuesday, April 23, 2013, at St. James the Greater Catholic Church, 2502 11th St., Eau Claire, with Fr. John A. Schultz officiating. Visitation will start at 10 a.m. at church. Interment will be at Rest Haven Cemetery at a later date.

Service Information

Cemetery

Rest Haven Cemetery 5750 Old Town Hall Road Eau Claire WI 54701

Visitation

Tuesday, April 23 2013 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

St. James the Greater Catholic Church 2502 11th Street Eau Claire WI 54703

Mass of Christian Burial

Tuesday, April 23 2013 12:00 PM

St. James the Greater Catholic Church 2502 11th Street Eau Claire WI 54703