Richard D. Johnson

Richard D. Johnson, 83, of Decatur, Indiana passed away on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, at his residence.

He was born on September 4, 1940, in Decatur, Indiana to the late Benoit P. and Della M. (Longenberger) Johnson. He was united in marriage to Nyla J. Girod on July 26, 1964 at Salem United Church of Christ.

He was a member of Salem Magley Church where he served as the choir director, elder, president, and held many other offices.  He was on the founding board of the Adams County Community Foundation.  Dick also helped with the swine barn at the Adams County 4-H Fair for several years.

He was a graduate of Pleasant Mills High School in 1958 and Purdue University in 1966.  He started his career at ITT in Fort Wayne where he helped to develop the lenses for the Apollo Program.  He retired from CW Leasing and had previously worked at Adams County Co-Op and Farmer’s Grain in Willshire while also working on the family farm.  He was currently at the Barn Lot in Decatur and sold polywood furniture.

Dick loved to spend time with his kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids.  He enjoyed bird watching and spending time in nature. He also enjoyed animals, especially his dogs. Dick helped to start Myles Ahead Animal Sanctuary and Rescue in memory of his grandson. He loved music and singing. Dick was personable, friendly and never met a stranger.

Survivors include his wife, Nyla J. Johnson of Decatur, Indiana; two sons, Delin R. (Denise) Johnson of Washington Court House, Ohio and Daryl B. (Kimberly) Johnson of Decatur, Indiana; three daughters, Julie A. (Chris) Knudsen of Decatur, Indiana, Jenny I. (Clay) Lemmon of Fort Wayne, Indiana, and Janel R. (Marc) Hemrick of Morrow, Ohio; sister, Pat Jackson of Decatur, Indiana; 13 grandchildren, Katie, Madison, Lydia, Ben, Erin, Ethan, Evan, Marysa, Isaac, Audrey, Nathan, Clara and Gabriel; and five great-grandchildren, Lincoln, Lainey, Landon, Grace, and Reed.

He was preceded in death by a grandson, Myles Alexander Hemrick; a great-grandson, Timothy Richard Johnson; and siblings, Lou Anna Hirschy, Glenda Holloway, Robert Johnson & John Johnson.

A funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, August 24, 2024 at Cornerstone Community Church in Decatur with Pastor Ernie Suman officiating. Burial will follow at Salem Magley Cemetery

Family and friends will be received from 2 to 5 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, August 23, 2024 at Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home in Decatur and one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.

Preferred memorials can be given to Adams County Community Foundation or Myles Ahead Animal Sanctuary and Rescue.

Arrangements by Zwick and Jahn Funeral Homes of Decatur, Indiana