Obituary of Irving D. Johnson

Irving D. Johnson ST. JOHNSVILLE - Irving D. Johnson, 81 of 770 County Highway 108, St. Johnsville passed away Monday, November 28, 2005 at the St. Johnsville Nursing Home where he had been a resident since June of 2005. He was born on October 22, 1924 in the Town of Oppenheim the son of the late Ross and Nina (Snell) Johnson. He was a graduate of Dolgeville High School class of 1942. He was united in marriage to his wife of 57 years the former Eleanor Eaker on June 12, 1948 at the Inghams Mills Baptist Church with the Rev. Florence Hamilton officiating. Mr. Johnson was a long time member of the Inghams Mills Baptist Church having served as the church organist and choir director for 53 years. He was also a over 50 year member of the Dolgeville Masonic Lodge # 796 F&AM. He served on committee's for the USDA, Farmers Home Administration and the American Soil Conservation Service. He was also a member of the board of directors of the Rural Park Cemetery Association and was a trustee and organist for the Snell's Bush Church, Little Falls. He was an accomplish organist having studied in New York City, taking lessons and practicing in Carnegie Hall. He enjoyed giving piano, organ and accordion lessons. He was also an avid woodworker making furniture and gifts for family and friends. Mr. Johnson was a diary farmer most of his life operating the Inghams Hills Farm, St. Johnsville. The farm was the recipient of the Dairy of Distinction award in 1985 and still continues to hold this award today. He is survived by his wife Eleanor, 2 sons Donald I. Johnson and his wife Phyllis, Little Falls and Lance R. Johnson and his wife Valedine, St. Johnsville, 2 daughters Sarah J. Minarick and her husband Michael, Omaha, Nebraska and Alice J. Hannon and her husband Daniel, Salem, New Hampshire, 2 sisters Mary Groff, St. Johnsville and Carrie Underwood and her husband Ernest, St. Johnsville, 8 grandchildren Jill Miller and her husband Ben, Omaha, Joseph Minarick, Omaha, Wendy Johnson, Little Falls, Kelly Johnson, Melanie Johnson and Ross Johnson all of St. Johnsville, Benjamin Hannon and Jane Hannon, both of Salem, NH and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a brother Kenneth Johnson who died in 1965. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, December 1, 2005 at 10:00 am from the Inghams Mills Baptist Church, Little Falls with the Pastor Gertrude Ortlieb, Pastor of the Inghams Mills Baptist Church and Rev. David Kirkpatrick, officiating. Interment will take place in Rural Park Cemetery, Inghams Mills. Relatives and friends are invited to pay their respects at the Chapman-Moser Funeral Home, Inc., 42 N. Ann Street, Little Falls on Wednesday, November 30, 2005 from 5-8 pm and to attend the funeral services Thursday morning. It is the wish of the family that contributions in memory of Mr. Johnson be considered to the Inghams Mills Baptist Church, c/o Mr. Donald Johnson, 920 Snell's Bush Rd., Little Falls, NY 13365. Envelopes are also available at the funeral home for this purpose. Members of the Dolgeville Masonic Lodge # 796, F&AM will call in a body at the funeral home on Wednesday evening at 6:30 pm to conduct their ritualistic services. The family would like to express their sincere appreciation for the care and kindness shown to Mr. Johnson and his family by the staff of the St. Johnsville Nursing Home.