Dolores C. Johnson (93) of Effingham

Dolores C. Johnson, 93, passed away on November 17, 2020 at Lakeland Rehabilitation and Health Care Center in Effingham.

Dolores, the eldest of five children, was born at home on April 18, 1927 to Clarence and Clara (Hemmen) Willenborg. She was followed by siblings Clarence, Theodore, Dennis and Karen. She grew up on the family farm north of Effingham where her father farmed and also ran a sawmill.

Dolores attended North School, a one-room schoolhouse that was on the corner of Rickelman Avenue and 1400th Street. After graduating from Teutopolis High School in 1945, Dolores went on to have a long career at Illinois Bell, first in Effingham and later in Champaign as an international telephone operator. She was a devoted daughter to her parents and often came home to visit and see her family.

Upon retirement, she spent a number of years in Rockledge, Florida where she enjoyed the sun and warm climate. While there she married her longtime partner Vincent Johnson, a retired lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Air Force, on July 25, 1995.

After his death in October of the same year, Dolores moved back to Effingham where she spent her remaining years reacquainting herself with her siblings and nieces and nephews.

Dolores is survived by her brothers, Clarence and Dennis and a number of nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, sister, Karen and brother, Theodore.

Arrangements are being handled at Bauer Funeral Home in Effingham with later interment next to her husband, Vincent, at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida.