Charlene J. Johnson

Wednesday, July 1, 2015

Charlene J. Johnson

Feb. 10, 1933 - June 27, 2015

LENEXA, Kan. -- Charlene J. Johnson, 82, passed away on June 27, 2015, at Lakeview Village in Lenexa, surrounded by her family.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Friday, July 3, 2015, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Father David McEvoy, O.Carm. of St. Joseph Catholic Church officiating.

Visitation will be Thursday, July 2, 2015, from 2 to 8 p.m.. Family will be present from 6 to 8 p.m. Rosary is at 7:30 p.m. at Belden Larkin Funeral Home. Burial will be in Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery.

Charlene was born in Lawrence, Kansas, on Feb. 10, 1933, the daughter of Charles Alfred and Mary Cecilia (O'Neill) Barker. Her maternal grandparents were John C. O'Neill and Catherine Aaron O'Neill.

Mrs. Johnson attended schools in Topeka, Garnett and Bonner Springs, Kansas, and graduated from Turner High School in 1950. She moved to Leavenworth after graduation and worked for Goodjohn Sash and Door from 1950 to 1953, and was a civil servant at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas from 1953 until 1959, when she decided to stay at home and raise her children.

Charlene married Charles H. Johnson, Jr. in 1959. They had four children and divorced in 1989. She was a member of the Girl Scouts of America and served as a troop leader, volunteered as the school secretary and managed the cafeteria at Sacred Heart School in Leavenworth from 1969 to 1976. Charlene returned to government service in 1977 and worked at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Leavenworth, Munson Army Hospital and the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, until her retirement in 2000. Charlene was also involved in several other volunteer activities, including "Call to Share" and the PTA. She was active in the Sacred Heart Alter Society and served as one of the Sacristans until 2012, when she moved to Lakeview Village in Lenexa.

Mrs. Johnson is survived by her three daughters, Elizabeth Ann (Liz) (Mike) Williams, Ocala, Florida, Jane (Richard) Stull, McCook, Nebraska, and Mona (Thomas) Gooden, Kirkwood, Missouri; her sister, Kathryn (Kitty) (Tom) Theiss, Independence, Missouri; five grandchildren, Amanda Williams, Overland Park, Kansas, Christopher Stull, Des Moines, Iowa, Chad Stull, Orlando, Florida, and Caroline and Allyson Gooden, Kirkwood, Missouri; two nieces, three nephews and several great-nieces and nephews.

Charlene was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Mary Elizabeth (Peggy) Byrns; her son, Charles H. (Chuck) Johnson, III; and two nephews, Charles Thomas (Tommie) Byrns and Mark John Byrns.

Memorials in her name may be directed to the Sacred Heart Altar Society, the American Lung Association or a charity of the donor's choice, in her name.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Belden-Larkin Funeral Home and Cremation Services. Condolences may be sent to www.beldenlarkin.com.

Belden-Larkin Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Leavenworth, Kansas, is in charge of arrangements.