John “W.L.” Johnson, 94, of Elk Horn, Iowa, died Saturday, June 14, 2025, at Cass County Memorial Hospital in Atlantic.
Wilbur Lewis Johnson was born on April 15, 1931, in the homeplace in rural Cainsville, Missouri, the son of Frank Wayne and Bonnie Pearl (McClain) Johnson. John rode a horse (and even a cow with his sister, Kate) to school at age 5. He graduated from Cainsville High School at the age of 16 in the Class of 1947. In May of 1948, he trekked the 80 plus miles to Indianola, Iowa, nursing a sprained ankle once arriving, to enlist in the United States Marine Corp. John served from June of 1948 to June of 1968, attaining the rank of 1st Sergeant at his honorable discharge. John was stationed in Paris Island, Korea, Okinawa, San Diego, Fort Worth and his last assignment in Abilene. He served two combat deployments onboard aircraft carrier USS Valley Forge during the Korean War in 1950 and 1951. During his time in the Marines, he served in different roles which included Sharpshooter Instructor, Drill Instruction, and prepared 43 Platoons for being called into action during Vietnam.
After his career in the military, he returned to the farm for a short time before coming to southwest Iowa to help his brother Frank with his restaurant businesses as a cook, one being at the Valley. John later owned the Brayton Café with his late wife, Nancy and also worked as a cook for a number of years at the Danish Inn.
John was a member of the Exodus Masonic Lodge #342 and the American Legion in Exira and attended the Elk Horn Baptist Church.
His love of horses started in his youth, and he shared this love with his family. He also broke them and sold them. John planted and harvested a huge garden each year, loved to cook, family favorites being his buttermilk pies to his smoked brisket, and never turned down a peanut butter cookie or a glass of sweet tea. He was an avid reader; Westerns were his go to and recently appreciated his book delivery from the Elk Horn Public Library. Throughout his life he looked forward to traveling to various places with his little camper.
John was very independent, mowing his lawn until the age of 92 and had an easy going, southern charm demeanor (the Marine in him came out when it needed to).
He will be deeply missed by all that knew him which includes his children, Jan (David) Smith of Baton Rouge, LA, Sheila Johnson of Lorah, IA, Reverend Mike (Carolyn) Miller of Chicago, IL, and Paula (Rod) Hutton of Eagleville, MO; daughter-in-law, Ronda Hagan of Blythedale, MO; grandchildren (76 in total down to the great-great’s!), Chris Smith, Nate (Carri) Potts, Elijah (Paige) Bintner, Hannah (Keith) Greving, Libbie (Tyler) Miles, Maddie Bintner, Abi Bintner, Gabbie (Chase) Hennen, Rachel (Alan) Allmen, Sarah (Dave) Ly, Rebecca (Tom) Thoburn, Stephen (Lulu) Miller. Jack Hutton, Bobby Hutton, Lacey (Daniell) Burton, Latosha (John) Reinwald, Aaron (Megan) Hagan, Nick Hagan, Trisha (Coy) Rinehart, and Sydney (Kenton) Smith; many great and great-great grandchildren; brother, Don Johnson of Nashville, TN; and many extended families which includes nieces, nephews, brothers-in-law, and sisters-in-law.
He is preceded in death by his parents; wives, Sybil (Griggs) Johnson in 2008, Nancy (McElroy) Johnson in 2007, and Betty (Alexander) Hagan Johnson in 2017; daughters, Leisha Smith and Mary Elizabeth Pollack; sons, John Hagan and David Alexander Hagan; granddaughters, Leah Miller and Jennifer Smith; grandsons, Aaron Inken, Micheal Smith, and John Cannon; sister, Kate (Newt) Hampton; brother, Frank Johnson; half-brother, Duane Johnson; and half-sister, Thelma Turner.
Visitation with the family present will begin at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, July 12th at Roland Funeral Home in Atlantic, followed by a Celebration of Life Memorial Service at 2:30 p.m. To pay tribute to John’s career in the United States Marine Corps military honors will be given by the Atlantic Color Guard.
The service will be recorded and available on the funeral home website by end of day the following Monday.
Memorials may be directed to the family for later designation to the Elk Horn Public Library.
Roland Funeral Service is caring for John’s family and his arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.
