Ralph Vincent (Vince) Johnson

Ralph Vincent (Vince) Johnson, 91, of Waukegan, IL passed away March 17, 2015, at 8:50 A.M. from Parkinson’s and pneumonia complications at Condell Medical Center, Libertyville, IL surrounded by his loving family.

Vince was born February 21, 1924, in Kirkwood, to Bert and Ida (Swanson) Johnson.  He was a member of the First Lutheran Church in Monmouth where he met his wife, the former Dorothy Jeanne Matson (Hilding and Edna (Melburg) Matson, parents).  Vince and Jeanne first met in Sunday school and were confirmed together in the same class at the First Lutheran Church.

 He graduated from Kirkwood High School in 1942.  Vince began his college career attending Monmouth College and became a member of TKE fraternity.  In late 1942, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he served during World War II from 1942 to 1946.  He was selected to be in the Navy V-12 program, continuing his college studies at Illinois State University and Columbia University while also training to become an Officer.  Once commissioned, he served as a Communications Officer on the Escort Aircraft Carrier U.S.S. Bougainville seeing service in the Pacific in Guam, Okinawa, China, and Japan.  He received his B.S. in Chemistry in 1947 from Monmouth College and his M.S. in Chemistry from the University of Illinois in 1948. 

Vince married Dorothy Jeanne Matson, on June 18, 1949, at the First Lutheran Church in Monmouth.  The young couple moved to Waukegan in 1949 where Vince had been recruited to be a research and development chemist for Abbott Laboratories.  He retired from Abbott Laboratories in 1984 after 36 years of devoted/dedicated service/employment.  

Vince, Jeanne, and their children would spend Christmas in Monmouth every year and time in the summer to attend Johnson/Matson family events.  Vince and Jeanne enjoyed nearly 47 years of marriage before her death in January 1996. 

Vince is survived by his son:  Douglas (Kathleen) Johnson of Mundelein; two daughters: Lynette (John) Carlson of Champaign and Cindy (Tim) Kasper of Waukegan; grandchildren: Mike(Lauren) Carlson of Algonquin; Jim (Tanya) Carlson of Chicago; Colin(Amanda) Johnson of Chicago; Jenna Johnson of Los Angeles; Clare (Jeff) Johnson-Waraksa of Chicago; Connor Johnson of Mundelein;  Jeanie Kasper of Waukegan; two great-grandchildren:  Nolan and Meredith Carlson of Algonquin; sister:  Carolyn (David) Sherman of San Francisco;  brother Wendell (Sharon) Johnson of Denver; and brother-in-law: Bob(Melba)Matson of Mason City, IA.  

Vince was preceded in death by his wife:  Dorothy Jeanne Johnson; brother:  Ken (Eleanor) Johnson of Monmouth; and brother-in-law:  Howard (Norma) Matson. 

Vince loved his family.

Our Dad was an enthusiastic member of the Waukegan Swedish Glee Club Choir (40 years) and faithful member of Trinity United Lutheran Church (Waukegan 66 years).  He enjoyed bowling, golfing, gardening, singing, musical concerts, cheering on Illini sports’ teams, playing cards (bridge, pinochle, and cribbage) with his children and grandchildren. Our Dad was always helping others in need.  He was loved and known by all as a very kind and gentle man. Our Dad will be remembered fondly and missed deeply.

The committal and entombment service with Military Honors will be at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, April 18, 2015, at the Warren County Memorial Park Cemetery.  Family and friends are welcome to attend.  McGuire & Davies Funeral Home and Crematory, Monmouth is in charge of the local arrangements.  For more information or to leave an online condolence please visit,www.mcguireanddaviesfuneralhome.com