Richard H. ‘Dick’ Johnson, 81, of South Whitley, Ind., passed away at 5:33 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2013, at Lutheran Hospital, Fort Wayne, Ind., where he was admitted on Monday following a stroke.

He was born Sept. 25, 1931, in Speedway, Ind., to K. Harold and Mary P. (Phillips) Johnson. At the age of five, the family moved to South Whitley. He graduated from South Whitley High School in 1949.

On Aug. 7, 1952, he entered the United States Army and served at the Army Parts Depot, Columbus, Ohio. He was released from active duty on Aug. 6, 1954. On Aug. 16, 1953, was united in marriage to Donna J. Seiber. They made their home in South Whitley later moving to Columbia City, Ind., for two years before returning to South Whitley.

He was a former owner of Johnson Brothers Sign Company, of South Whitley. After his retirement in 1995, he joined Stumps/Shindigz as a part-time employee driving their local trucks. An avid golfer, he also enjoyed IU basketball and followed the Whitko Wildcats basketball team. He attended The Chapel in Fort Wayne and loved spending time with his great-granddaughter, Hadley.

Surviving relatives include his wife of 59 years; two daughters: Terri (Paul) Engelberth, Suwanee, Ga.; Cindy (Tim) Grant, South Whitley; grandchildren: Nate (Abigail) Engelberth, Brandon Engelberth, Haley Engelberth, Abby Engelberth, Joseph (Renee) Grant, Chelsey Grant; a great-granddaughter: Hadley Grant; two sisters: Marianne (Terry) Duggins, Cicero, Ind.; Vicki Sheppard, North Manchester, Ind.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister: Patricia Howard.

The visitation will be from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 4, at Smith & Sons Miller Chapel, South Whitley. The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 5, at the funeral home, with Pastor Rick Hawks of The Chapel officiating. The burial will be in South Whitley Cemetery with the Whitley County Korean War Veterans Honor Guard presenting honors. T

Preferred memorials include the American Heart Association or the Alzheimer’s Association.