Daryl Johnson

Daryl E. Johnson, 81, of Cape Girardeau died Saturday, Oct. 31, 2009, at his home.

He was born Dec. 18, 1927, in Reynolds, Ill., to Harry E. and Ella Anderson Johnson. He was married to Helen Cole of Alpha, Ill., and then married Marilyn Hedges on Oct. 17, 1969, in Springfield, Ill.

Johnson was of the Lutheran belief.

He served in the U.S. Navy from November 1945 to August 1946.

He farmed in Warren and Henderson counties in Illinois, and worked for Monmouth Production Credit Association in Aledo, Ill., before joining Ford Motor Co. He then joined Case Equipment and owned Johnson Equipment Co. in Cape Girardeau. After retiring from Johnson Equipment he was employed by Coad Chevrolet and then became an independent truck driver. His trucking career continued until the age of 79.

Survivors include his wife, Marilyn Johnson of Cape Girardeau; three sons, Steve Johnson (Delores) of Seattle, Richard Johnson (Rhonda) of San Antonio, Brad Johnson (Lynda) of Mesa, Ariz.; five stepchildren, Cheryl Cook (Marc) of Cape Girardeau, Jerry Curtis (Carol) of Longtown, Mo., Terri Thilenius (Carl) of Perryville, Mo., Bill Curtis (Lisa) of Jackson, Cindy Balsmann (Dan) of Cape Girardeau; 11 grandchildren, Erik, Rick, Lacey, Rose, Chloe and Brad Johnson, Sarah Oliver, Emily Schmitz, Erin and Billy Curtis, Melissa Patterson; and eight great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother and a sister.

Friends may call from 11:30 a.m. to service time Wednesday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home.

The funeral will be at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Mark Anderson officiating. Entombment will follow at Cape County Memorial Park Mausoleum, with military rites by Missouri Honor Team.

Memorial contributions may be given to Missouri Veterans Home.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com