John Robert Johnson, 87, of Franklin, passed away peacefully Sunday, October 24, 2010.

Born in Cuyahoga Falls, OH, he was the son of the late Albert John Johnson and Eleanor Marie Wilkinson Johnson. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Frances Staiger Johnson; daughter, Joan Johnson; four brothers, Ray, Roy, Art and Dale Johnson and two sisters, Mary Kuchenbecker and Dorothy Hilliard. John was a US Navy veteran and served with the Seabees during WWII in the South Pacific, when he received the Purple Heart Honor. He loved helping others and was a member of Resurrection Lutheran Church. John lived in Hudson, OH, for 48 years where he worked and raised his family. After 14 years in Wakeman, OH, he and his wife, Fran, moved to Franklin, NC in 1984 where he continued to lovingly help other in his usual gentle and common sense way. He was a faithful follower of Jesus and member of Resurrection Lutheran Church.

He is survived by four children, Douglas Johnson and wife Marilynn of Gold Canyon, AZ, Bronwyn Rongaus of Tempe, AZ, Janet Dyer and husband Ron of Roseboro, NC and Timothy Johnson and wife Deborah of Franklin; two sisters, Betty Diersing of Toledo, OH and Bonnie McRae of Streetsboro, OH; eight grandchildren, Eric Johnson, Marc Johnson, Stephanie Short, Bryan Prack, Bronwyn Strickland, Ian Johnson, Victoria Johnson, Kalia German; two great grandchildren, Ellis Johnson and Cayden Short and several nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Service will be held at 4:00 p.m. Saturday, November 20, 2010 at Resurrection Lutheran Church. Pastor John Brunner and Pastor Barry Conover will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Angel Hospice General Fund, 170 Church Street, Franklin, NC 28734.

Macon Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Exclusive provider of "Veterans and Family Memorial Care Program".