Donald Earl Johnson passed away on Thursday, April 23, 2020 at the Rooks County Health Center in Plainville, Kansas, at the age of 93. He was born on August 24, 1926 in Clay Center, Kansas to Oscar Johnson and Alice Arthur. Don grew up in Plainville and went to Plainville High School through 10th grade. In December of 1944, Don was drafted into the United States Army during World War II and was honorably discharged in November 16, 1946.
Don married his first wife, Joan (Bice) Johnson, on June 13, 1948 in Plainville. They were blessed with three children: Forest, Sue and Sarah. Joan passed away in 1986 after a battle with MS. He later met Marilyn Guthrie Spear at a dance and they married on August 9, 1997 in Norton, Kansas. Upon this union he was blessed with four step-children: Brian, David, Donita, and Tracy.
Don spent his life working as a rancher and a maintenance supervisor for the Presbyterian Manor in Wichita, Kansas. Don had a love of baseball as his father was a professional baseball player; he rarely missed watching the Royals play. He also liked KU Basketball and he loved to dance and play golf.
Don belonged to the First Christian Church in Plainville and was a Deacon in previous years. He was a VFW Post #8871 commander for three years, and was the last charter member.
He is survived by his wife Marilyn of the home in Plainville; daughters, Gladys “Sue” Hays and husband Lee of Overland Park, KS, and Sarah Plunk and husband Cleon of Coweta, OK; step-children, David Spear and wife Diane of Jennings, OK, Donita Kaare and husband John of Olney, IL, and Tracy Orr and husband Gary of Oberlin, KS; three grandchildren, Rachel (David) Pittner, Ryan (Mary) Hays, and Nickolas Johnson; and three great-grandchildren, Jake Pittner, Jamie Pittner, and Noah Johnson.
Don is preceded in death by his parents, Oscar Johnson and Alice Arthur; first wife, Joan Johnson; son Forest Johnson; and step-son, Brian Spear.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, June 27, 2020 at 11 A.M. at the First Christian Church in Plainville.
Memorials are suggested to VFW Post #8871 or First Christian Church and may be sent in care of Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 320 SW 2nd St, Plainville, Kansas 67663.