Clarence Hartley Johnson, 82, Burlington, passed away Monday, Aug. 12, 2013, at his home.
He was born Oct. 6, 1930, in Salem, S.D., the son of Clarence Lester and Esther Hannah (Krull) Johnson.
When he was 10 years old the family moved from Salem to Kansas and Clarence graduated from Burlington High School. Not long after high school he entered the U.S. Army. Following his discharge he returned home. He became acquainted with Luella Bernice Serl and they were married on Dec. 18, 1956, in Iola.
They lived in Burlington for five years before moving to California where Clarence was an inspector for Lockheed Martin Aircraft until his retirement. In 2001 he and Luella returned to make their home in Burlington.
Clarence was baptized in the Burlington Christian Church.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Marlys Burk-hart.
He leaves Luella, his wife of more than 56 years; seven children, Linda McElfresh and husband, Lindsay, Le Roy, Steven Johnson and wife, Gail, Burlington, Ronald Johnson, Burlington, Michael Johnson, Le Roy, Larry Johnson and wife, Teresa, Le Roy, Debra Johnson, Burlington, and Cynthia Garceau and husband, Arthur, Gridley; 24 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Carolyn Thomason, Topeka.
Clarence was cremated. Memorial services will be at 4 p.m. Saturday at Jones Funeral Home in Burlington.
Clarence Johnson
