John L. Johnson

John L. Johnson, 96, of Bella Vista, Ark., passed away on Nov. 25, 2013, of natural causes. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 29, at Bella Vista Community Church Chapel. The Rev. Roger Joslin of All Saints Episcopal Church will be officiating. John was born in Fargo, N.D., on Dec. 12, 1916. He graduated from West Allis (Wis.) Central High School and received continuing education at Syracuse University. John proudly served in the Army Air Corps during WWII as a B-25 bombardier and navigator from 1943-1946 as a first lieutenant. After serving, he played semi-professional basketball in Milwaukee, Wis. John was married to Anne Mrvosh on June 10, 1946, and they were married 37 years. John worked as a linotype operator with the E.F. Schmidt Printing Company. In 1958, John joined Aid Association for Lutherans (AAL) selling life insurance. John and family moved to Fond du Lac, Wis., in 1962, accepting a promotion to general agent with AAL. He worked for AAL for 21 years, retiring in 1979. During his career with AAL, he was also actively involved in administrative positions at the churches he attended. He was also elected president to the board of directors of the Lutheran Church Wisconsin Synod Foundation Inc. In 1970, he coached basketball at Winnebago Lutheran Academy (Fond du Lac, Wis.), leading the varsity team to its first basketball tournament championship in March 1970. In his retirement, he enjoyed golf, fishing, tennis and many other sports with his family. John will be remembered for his wonderful sense of humor, charismatic personality and persevering spirit. John is survived by his children, Craig (Catherine) of Overland Park, Kan., Colette of Bentonville, Ark., Cary of Lake Whitney, Texas, Curtis (Camelia) of Sacramento, Calif., Clayton of Lenexa, Kan., Carolyn of Asheville, N.C., Cindee Joslin (Roger) of Bella Vista, Ark.; four grandchildren, six great-grandchildren; other family and friends. John is preceded in death by wife, Anne; his parents, John and Nellie Johnson; sisters, Lucile and Lyla; and brother, Lynn. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to Bella Vista Community Church, Bella Vista, Ark. The family of John L. Johnson wishes to thank the Veterans Administration, Mercy Hospital, Highlands Healthcare and Circle of Life Hospice.