Reverend Mr. Joseph William Johnson

The Reverend Mr. Joseph William Johnson, retired permanent Deacon, Saint Stephen’s Church in West Salem, Ohio died peacefully July 9, 2016 at his home in Lodi at the age of 85.

Funeral Mass will be Friday July 15, 2016 @ 11:00 a.m. at St. Stephen Catholic Church in West Salem with  Bishop Roger W. Gries celebrantFather Carl Uhler homilist.  Friends will be received  Thursday July 14, 2016 from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. at St Stephen Catholic Church, 44 Britton Street, West Salem.  Burial in Woodlawn Cemetery in Lodi with military rites conducted by James Stevenson American Post 499 of West Salem.    In lieu of flowers contributions may be sent to the Meals and More Program at St. Stephen’s Church, 44 Britton Street, W. Salem  44287 or Akron Hospice Care Center, 3358 Ridgewood Road, Akron, Ohio  44333.  Matteson Funeral home in West Salem is handling the arrangements.  Online condolences may be shared at the funeral home website @mattesonfh.com.

Deacon Johnson was born April 13, 1931 in Cleveland, Ohio and graduated from St. Ignatius High School in 1949 and attended John Carroll University Class of 1953.  He served in the U.S. Naval Reserves from 1950 to 1952 and in the U.S. Army 1952 to 1954.

He married Joan C Wittman April 12 1958 their marriage brought them five children. Joseph F Johnson & Jeffrey C Johnson, deceased,( Paula ), John R. Johnson, Julie(David)Mcie, James(Christy)Johnson, 12 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, brothers, David(Carol)Johnson and Robert(Lucette)Johnson and sisters, Anne (Dr William)Love and Rosemary Johnson.

He enjoyed reading and working in his flower garden plus riding his golf cart with his pet Jett-Boy.  He belonged to the Parish Holy Name Society and Lodi Ruritan where he served as zone governor in the past.

Joe worked for Goodyear tire as a foreman and was in the chicken business, egg production for seven years in Lafayette Township.  He retired from Buehler Foods in Medina after 20 years.

Joe was ordained to the Diaconate on May 21, 1988 in the Cathedral of St. John The Evangelist, Cleveland, Ohio by the most Rev. Anthony M Pilla.  Following his ordination he was assigned to St. Stephen’s in West Salem.  At the Parish he exercised a full Liturgical Ministry, including, preaching, Baptizing, witnessing marriages.

He was most involved with visiting the sick and shut-ins, in hospitals and nursing homes along with his pet dogs Jake and Jett-Boy.  Deacon Joe and Joan moved to Jacksonville in June 1997 where he served Sacred Heart Church and as a Chaplain at all Saints Nursing Home for seven years.  They returned home to Lodi in June 2005.  Joe retired from active ministry April 30, 2006 due to health problems.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Joseph R. and Marguerite E Johnson M.D., grandson, Jared A Johnson and a sister Marguerite Werwage.

 Service Information