Dean M. Johnson

Dean Merlan Johnson 63, passed away peacefully on Saturday May 1, 2021 at his home in Mahomet, Il. surrounded by family.

He was born on September 16, 1957 in Champaign, IL. the son of Merlan and Elsie (Hall) Johnson, and grew up in Garden Hills, making lifelong friendships in the first grade. He was a boy scout of the Garden Hills troupe #135 for many years with his father being his troupe leader; they have memories of camping overnight monthly, no matter what the weather conditions were. Dean attended Champaign schools and was a graduate of Westview High School in Kankakee, Il.

Deans first job as a teenager was at the Champaign Dairy Queen making $1.00 an hour and receiving an ice cream cone at the end of his shift…this must be where he got his love for ice cream. He later worked at McCormick Distributing and Service as a service technician for twelve years, and retired after 23 years from the Plumbers and Pipefitters Local #149.

Dean married Darcy (Corlett) Johnson in St. Joseph Il. on July 30, 1988, they were together 40 happy years. He had a love for motorcycles at a young age and later became a member of the Decatur H.O.G. Chapter #0957 for 10 years. Dean and Darcy took many memorable trips, biking, boating and making many friends along the way. He enjoyed a good card game and his love for Ted, the best dog in the world.

He is survived by his wife, Darcy; brother, Dale (Karen) Johnson of Bradley, Il; sister, Dawn (Jeff) Wendling of Colorado Springs, Co and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents.

Dean leaves behind special friends Kane Beaumont, Jim Prouty, Dave and Geri Barbie and Kevin and Michelle Rumple. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Vamsi Vasireddy, Dr. Dawn McCoy and the Oncology Department at Carle Foundation Hospital. Per Dean’s wishes there will be no funeral services. Memorials can be made in Dean’s name to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.

The family has entrusted Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Mahomet, Illinois 1102 Churchill, Rd Mahomet, Illinois 61853.

Please join his family in sharing memories, photos and videos on his tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com

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