Sherman M. Johnson

Harvard resident, Sherman M. Johnson, Jr. 74, died Sunday July 20, 2008 at the Harvard Rest Haven, Harvard, NE following a 10 year battle with cancer. Services will be Thursday, July 24, 2008 at 2 PM at the Harvard United Church of Christ with the Rev. Stan Crawford officiating. Burial will be in the Harvard Cemetery with military rites. Visitation will be Wednesday, from 12 noon to 9 PM with the family present from 7 PM to 9 PM, and up till service time at the church. Condolences may be sent to the family from www.brandwilson.com. Sherm was born December 14, 1933 to Sherman and Ursula (Zeigler) Johnson in Tilden, NE. He was baptized as an infant into the Lutheran faith. He attended rural schools and then the family moved to Stanton, NE in 1947. He was confirmed at St. Lukes Lutheran Church and graduated from Stanton High School in 1951. He was drafted into the Army just as the truce was being served from 1953 to 1955. Over the years he had worked at a fur farm as well as a dairy. He married his soul mate Faith Ann Walter on March 29, 1957. They moved to Kansas City, MO where he worked for Reed Oven Company while he went to diesel mechanics school. They then moved back to Hastings, NE and he went to work for Sherman Service Center on diesel engines. He worked there for many years and then switched careers to mobile home work. He started out working for Mobile Home Ranch in Hastings and eventually went to Chief Industries/Bonavilla Homes of Aurora, where he traveled around doing the warranty work on the homes. He retired in June 1998. Faith passed away February 12, 1998 after her own battle with cancer. Sherm was a member of the Harvard United Church of Christ as well as the Harvard VFW. He was very talented in many areas including woodworking and mechanics. He also enjoyed attending the grandkids ballgames, concerts, ect. As well as traveling sometimes combining the two together. He is survived by his children, Sheri Dowse and husband Danny of Harvard, Russ Johnson and wife Deb of Aurora, Greg Johnson and wife Ann of Grand Island, Kelley Owens and husband Terry and Teresa Gaughen and husband John all of Harvard. 1 brother, Lawrence Johnson of Lincoln, 4 sisters, Janice Kohl of Madison, Judy Godel and husband George of Stanton, Nancy Scott and husband Bob of Bonesteel, SD, and Linda Stiles and husband Vaughn of Madison, 15 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, and 6 step-great grandchildren, and host of nieces, nephews and other relatives as well as many many friends. There were also some very special people in his life who were just like family to him. He was preceded in death by his wife, his parents, a brother Andrew Johnson, his mother and father-in-law Donald and Grace Walter and 2 brother-in-law Mike Kohl and Byron Red Carmichael, and 1 sister-in-law, Helen Johnson. A memorial will be established.