Elizabeth Elnora Johnson Obituary (1925 - 2019)

Elizabeth Elnora Johnson, 94, of Taylorville, Illinois, died on Saturday October 12, 2019 at 4:30 AM of natural causes. Libby was born in St. Elmo, Illinois, on February 20, 1925 the daughter of James and Lucy (Kanus) Feezel. She was married to Lawrence M. Johnson on April 16, 1943 in Wilmette, Illinois, and attended Browns Business College. Libbys life was dedicated to providing for her family and working to give her children better, prosperous lives. She was a lifelong sports enthusiast and could often be found cheering for a son, grandson, granddaughter or any young person representing Mt. Zion in an athletic event. She volunteered as a member of the athletic booster club as well as a scorer at numerous wrestling tournaments. When her sons were on the Mt. Zion wrestling team, and for several years after, a red, white and blue hat knitted by Mrs. Johnson was a cherished item for team members. She was a strong supporter of the Eastern Illinois University Wrestling Team and received numerous awards and accolades from the coach and team members. Mrs. Johnson was an icon at the IHSA State Wrestling Finals from 1970 until 2018 where past and current high school and college wrestlers and coaches would stop to say hi and receive a loving hug. Libby was preceded in death by her husband Lawrence M. Johnson and her son James L. Johnson as well as her mother and father, sister Geraldine Feezel, brother Claude Feezel and sister-in-law Dorothy, Sister Ina (Feezel) Abendroth and brother-in-law Orville Abendroth, brother Bill Feezel, and son-in-law Larry Whitehurst. She is survived by her brother Elmer Feezel and sister Georgianna (Feezel) Shultz, son and daughter-in-law Larry and Lynn Johnson, daughter Sharon Whitehurst, daughter-in-law Jeanne Rutherford, son and daughter-in-law Roy and Suzie Johnson and son and daughter-in-law Rick and Yvonne Johnson as well as thirteen grandchildren and sixteen great grandchildren. Whether you knew her as Mrs. Johnson, Lib, Libby, Mom or Grandma, you knew her as a woman who cared deeply about her family and helping others at every opportunity. It was often said about Mom that she never met a stranger. Whether waiting in line at the state wrestling tournament, in the bleachers at an athletic competition or volunteering at an event, everyone could immediately surmise that they were in the company of a genuine, caring and forthright person. At Libbys request, a private graveside ceremony will be held at a later date.