John Charles Johnson Sr., affectionately called by his family “John Boy,” earned his heavenly wings on Saturday, July 26, 2025, at the age of 83 years and 26 days at his home in Muncie, Indiana, from injuries he sustained four months ago from an auto-train accident.

John was born June 30, 1942, in Forest Cottage, Cumberland Co., Ky. John was the 6th of 11 children, born to Irvin Esco “Bob” Johnson (1909-1975) and Sallie Mae (Winchester/Davis) (1907-2000). In January of 1950, when John was 8 years old, his parents moved them and 9 of the 11 children from Kentucky to Indiana. Upon arrival to Indiana the family lived in Cadis and Sulphur Springs in Henry Co. IN., Farmland in Randolph Co., IN., then to Muncie Delaware Co. IN., They lived in Muncie until John was in 9th grade at Wilson Middle School at which time at the age of 16 John left school and began his life as a working young man and going to Florida to pick oranges for 10 cents a bushel. He returned to Indiana by the early 1960s. He and his family had moved to Albany, Delaware Co., IN. In 1963, John met and married the love of his life, Carolyn Lee (Kimmel), who preceded him (1942-1995). They went on to start their family, raising 5 children. John was a hard-working man all his life, even working when not working. One of John’s 1st jobs in Albany was doing automotive body work, later returning to heavy equipment operations. Over his lifetime, he worked on many aspects of construction. His work led him into a concrete profession at which his brothers, brothers-in-laws, sons, nephews, and many lifelong friends worked with and for him. His business grew over the years in and around Muncie, such as the concrete work on the original jail, Salt Barn on Hoyt, the first fire station, the circle drive at court courthouse, many curbs, drives, and sidewalks around Muncie. He did a lot of work with the Muncie Sanitation Department. Before he started his own company, J.W. Construction, he was a member of the Carpenters Local 1016.

 John was still actively working prior to his accident. He never sat still. Besides his passion for work, his greatest love he held was for his family and spending time with them. He loved sitting around telling stories of life growing up in a large family, camping, and loved going back home to Kentucky so much so, about 20 years ago he purchased the “Old school house” in Smith Grove that he attended 2nd grade in along with his siblings, the school house had fallen into dispose and John turned the one room school house into his vacation home to share with all whom would join him. He loved rekindling his relationships with his Kentucky family. In more recent years, he was able to fulfill another love he was passionate about, which was collecting and restoring four old cars, a 1951 Pontiac, a 1954 Chevy, a 1964 Ford, 1949 Chevy, which he loved talking to cruising the strip on Madison Street and doing burnouts. Yes, young boy at heart. John loved his cat he called “Fat Cat,” and his two stray cats he had adopted. Over the years, John had many friends, too many to name. There are a few he thought highly of: Debbie and Dale Bailey, Gene Kennedy, and Ruben Sanchez. John had some cousins whom he cherished dearly, who were Kenny Davis, Daryl Davis, Richard Smith, and Gary Norris.

John was preceded by his parents and 4 sisters and 3 brothers. Sisters: Robbie (1929-2012, husband Pete Higginbotham Sr., Dec.), Virginia “Jeni” (1932-2013 husband Max DeVoe, Dec.), Rosa Marie “Rosie” (1938-2021 husband Don Spain, Dec.), Myrtie (1940-1969 husband Mike Blevins, Dec.). Brothers: William “Edward” Johnson (1934-1955), James Johnson Sr. (1946-1972 wife Pamela, Dec.), Richard “Dickie” Johnson (1956-2016). Brother-in-law Chet Shively, 7 nephews, 1 niece, 1 great-nephew, 2 grandsons Jeremy and Nicky J., 1 granddaughter Melissa, 1 son Anthony “Tony” Johnson, 1 daughter Rhonda Johnson.

Survived by 3 sisters Barbara (husband Jim Kirkland, Dec.), Peggy (husband Dave Batio, Dec.), Judy (Husband Charley Daniel, Dec.), 11 nephews and 3 nieces, and his children Sherri Kay (companion Jeremy Butler and ex-husband Steve Ogle), Greg Johnson (ex-wife Lucy Long), John Johnson Jr. (Wife Tabby Morton), ex-daughter-in-law Lisa Elliott. Surviving grandchildren: Ciara Ogle (husband Drew Croyle), Terry Ogle (Wife Carrigan Shook), Mara Johnson (Husband James Rittenhouse Sr, Dec.), James Campbell (wife Nicole), John Johnson III, Ricky Morton, Lindsey Morton (Husband Phil Cooper Jr.), Shiann Antrim. Surviving great-grandchildren Wade Croyle, Colter Ogle, Tanner Johnson, Cayden Hunter, James Rittenhouse Jr., Laylah Rittenhouse, Aubrey Campbell, Hailey Campbell, Abby Cooper, Leighton Cooper, and many more extended family members, and John’s long-time companion, Ginger Flick. Special thanks and love to John’s great niece, Kellie Jo DeVoe, for their amazing care as John’s caregiver.

Viewing will take place from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, at Parson Mortuary. The funeral will follow at 1 pm, and the Burial will be in Elm Ridge Memorial Park, Muncie, Indiana.