James (Jim) Ronald Johnson, 85, of Mendota, passed away Monday, April 24, 2023 at OSF St. Anthony Medical Center, Rockford while surrounded by his daughter and four grandsons.

Funeral services will be Saturday, April 29, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, Mendota with Rev. Mary Bohall officiating. Burial will be in Restland Cemetery, Mendota. Visitation will be Friday from 4-7 p.m. at the Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota.

Jim was born March 19, 1938 in Durand to Orval and Fern (Williamson) Johnson. He grew up and went to school in LaMoille and was a graduate of LaMoille High School. He married Shirley Dalton on November 12, 1963 and welcomed their only child Katherine in September of 1966.

Jim's first job was caring for and showing Ayrshire cattle for the Anderson family. He went on to serve in the National Guard then worked for Hume's and Hart Carter where he helped design equipment that is still in use today. He later worked at Agricultural Building Company where he was a draftsman and fabricator. Jim finished his career working at Lake Holiday where he was in charge or dredging the lake. Among all of Jim's accomplishments he was the most proud of being a fireman. He served on the Mendota Volunteer Department and Troy Grove Rural Department. He was a fireman for 40 years spending many of those years as Fire Chief for Mendota.

Jim had a great love of gardening and planted many fruit trees, strawberries, raspberries and grapes which he shared with family and friends. He was a lifelong member of the NRA and taught his daughter and grandsons how to shoot. He and his wife Shirley also enjoyed vacationing with family, spending many years snowmobiling in Wisconsin and summers in Arkansas, fishing and boating with their daughter and grandsons and then their great grandchildren. Jim loved to collect Massey Harris toy tractors.

He is survived by his daughter Katherine (Jim) Gross of LaMoille; four grandsons James (Elyssa) Albers of West Brooklyn Justin (Hollie) Albers of Compton, Jacob Albers of Rochelle and Jordan (Abby Hochstatter) Albers of Mendota; great grandchildren Raelynn and Nash Albers of Compton, David Albers of West Brooklyn and Jaclynn Ridge of Mendota; sisters in law Judy Stewart and Joan (Ray) DeVault both of Mendota and Mary Sue Johnson of Sparta; special cousin Judy (Delbert) Gehrke of Iowa; nieces and nephews and his faithful dog Reba who will be cared for by his daughter.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Shirley in 2021 and his brother Donald Johnson.

Memorials may be directed to the Mendota Fire Department, Illinois Valley Animal Rescue or the family.