James Ivan Johnson Jr.

September 18, 1947 — January 11, 2024

James Ivan Johnson Jr, 76, of Mt. Vernon, IL passed away Thursday, January 11, 2024, at SSM Health

Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon. James was born on September 18, 1947, in Melrose Park, IL

to James and Harriet (Biggs) Johnson.

James grew up in the Thompsonville area but lived in Mt. Vernon since the 1980s. James married

LeAnn (Dycus) on July 29, 1973, and together they have three children. James served in the US Army

with the 14th Armored Cavalry in Germany’s Fulda Gap from 1966-1968, and in Vietnam from 1968-69

with the 11th Armored Cavalry, D Company. As Staff Sargeant, he was a Tank Commander and

received the Bronze Star. He was a part of the VA counseling group and loved helping other veterans.

He was always generous in sharing his time, knowledge, and ability. The role he played in the lives of

friends and family were a point of pride and honor throughout his life. Like his mother, he was a lifelong reader

with an intellectual curiosity that never faded. He particularly loved science fiction and James Michener novels.

James is survived by his wife Leann (Dycus) Johnson, three sons, James Johnson III (Mary Knudsen),

Robert Johnson, and Tim Johnson; one brother Les Johnson, three sisters, Joyce Johns, Susan Dust, and

Gayla Johnson-Orr; 2 half-brothers, Wendell Mowcomber, Brian Mowcomber and four grandchildren.

James was preceded in death by his parents, James and Harriet (Biggs) Johnson.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, January 17, 2024, at Sloan Funeral Home in Galatia at 1:00

pm with visitation from 12:00 pm until funeral hour. Burial will follow in Little Springs Cemetery in

Hamiliton County with Mike Gunter speaking. Sloan Funeral Home of Galatia is in charge of

arrangements.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of James Ivan Johnson Jr., please visit our flower store.

Send a Card

Visits: 2121

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.