Kenneth Johnson, of rural Delavan, passed away at his home on Thursday, October 8th. He was 98 years old.
Kenneth was born on March 8, 1922, to Ralph and Minerva (Jost) Johnson in Herington, KS. He attended Diamond Valley Rural High School in Burdick, KS. Through 4-H, he met his future wife, Rita Loomis and they were married at her family home at Helmick, KS on March 10, 1943.
Kenneth served in World War 11 and was a pilot in the United States Army Air Force. After the war, he returned to farming in the Delavan area and worked at Beech Aircraft, which was located at the army airfield. When Beech closed the facility, he moved to Wichita and worked for Beech, Boeing and Cessna, where he retired and returned to Delavan to continue farming.
He was a member of Church of Christ Christian, which is now Council Grove Christian Church, where he taught Sunday school and served as a deacon and an elder. Kenneth loved to visit and his infectious smile and wit will be missed by all.
Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents and wife Rita. He is survived by his five children; Carole Cole, Phoenix, AZ, Cheryl Staats and husband Alan, Eagle Rock, MO, Jackie Staats and husband Don, Thornton, Co, Jim Johnson and wife Melaney, Delavan, and Donna Johnson, Greely, CO; 9 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; and sister Donna Schaid, Independence, KS.
There will be no services. Memorial contributions may be made to Council Grove Christian Church, sent in care of Sawyer Funeral Home, Box 273, Council Grove, KS 66846.