Robert L. Johnson

GARDNER - Robert L. Johnson, 74, of 26 Crawford Street, Gardner, died peacefully at his residence Friday morning, September 25th, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Gardner on April 6,1935, the son of the late Paul L. and Ida J. (Liukkonen) Johnson and was a resident of Gardner for most of his life. Bob worked at Reed Rolled Thread in Holden for 33 years as a Sales Manager until his retirement. He was a 1953 graduate of Gardner High School and entered the Navy in the fall after his graduation. He proudly served in the United States Navy from 1954 to 1957 and was awarded the Good Conduct Medal and National Defense Service Medal. He later graduated from Worcester Junior College. Bob was also a former Eagle Scout. Bob was a member of Faith Lutheran Church and had served as President of the Mens Club, President of the Church Council, and was a member of the Finance and Stewardship Committees and Sunday School teacher at the former Covenant Lutheran Church. Bob had also been a former member of the Chestnut Street Methodist Church for over 20 years, where he had been Council President, member of its Mens Group and was a former Sunday School teacher. Bob enjoyed hunting, fishing, tying flies and attending activities of his grandchildren. He leaves his wife of 53 years, Marie L. (Merrow) Johnson; three sons, Kris Johnson, Kregg Johnson and his wife Christine and Kurt Johnson and his wife Jane, all of Gardner; a daughter, LuAnn Smith and her husband James of Gardner; a brother, Thomas Johnson of Natick; seven grandchildren, Kyle, Korey, Danielle, Andrew, Benjamin, Brandon and Klark; one great grandson, Kole and several nephews and nieces. Funeral services will be held at 12 Noon Tuesday, September 29th in Faith Lutheran Church, 627 Green Street, Gardner. Burial, with military honors, will be in the Massachusetts Veterans' Memorial Cemetery, Winchendon. Calling hours will be held Tuesday, September 29th from 10 A.M. to 12 Noon in the church, preceding the funeral. Memorial donations may be made to the National Kidney Foundation, 85 Astor Ave. Suite 2, Norwood, MA. 02062-5040 or to Faith Lutheran Church Scholarship Fund, 627 Green Street, Gardner, MA. 01440. The Stone-Ladeau Funeral home, 343 Central Street, Winchendon is directing arrangements. www.stone-ladeau.com