Ramona Jean Johnson

Ramona Jean Utz-Johnson, age 97, passed away on 25 March 2023. She was a resident of the Courtyard Estates in Canton, IL, at the time of her death.

Ramona was born on September 17, 1925, in Potlatch, Idaho. She was the daughter of Floyd and Lola Phillips-Utz of Kellogg, ID. Her brothers, Ronald (Bev Tuttle) Utz of Coeur d’ Alene, ID, and Rodney Jay (Shirley Creek Utz-Stead) Utz, of Wallace, Idaho, one sister still-born, and her parents preceded her in death.

During World War II, Ramona met and married Delbert E. Johnson of Silver Mines, MO, on May 2, 1942, at the Hitching Post at Coeur ‘d Alene, ID. He preceded her death on December 1, 2012, her husband of 70 years. Both lived in Norris, Illinois.

Ramona earned her Associate of Arts degree from Spoon River College. Then, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL. She served as Kiddie College Director of the A/G Preschool and then taught third and fourth grades at Harris Elementary School in Farmington, IL, for ten years, before retirement. She loved to write poetry throughout her life. Her published poems trace her personal history.

Ramona and Delbert had four children, eight grandchildren, and twelve great-grandchildren. Crystal (Jim) Jacobs of Belleville, MI; Dawn (Tom) Schaefer of Louisville, KY; Laynah (Tim) Rogers of Rogersville, MO; and Delbert “DJ” Jay (Gina Seghi) of Farmington, IL. Grandchildren are David (Lia) Schaefer of Ypsilanti, MI; Derek (Santi) Schaefer of Louisville, KY; Jimilyn Jacobs-Thomas-Koren of Belleville, MI; Brandy Kenny of Falkville , AL; Rebekah Rogers-Ferguson of Rogersville, MO; Tim (Shelley) Rogers of Rogersville, MO; Caleb (Jeana) Johnson of Hanna City, IL; Emily Johnson of Norris, IL. Great-Grandchildren are J.D. Schaefer of Boston, MA; Bing Schaefer of Seattle, WA; Jordan and Ashland Thomas of Belleville, MI; Audessa and Audrina Schaefer of Louisville, KY; Malorie and Ryan Ferguson of Rogersville, MO; Elyse and Sydney Rogers of Rogersville, MO; Corbin and Ansley Johnson of Hanna City, IL.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, March 30. 2023, at 11 am, at Oaks-Hines Funeral Home in Canton with a visitation one hour prior at the funeral home.

Ramona will be laid to rest at Norris Cemetery near her old homestead.

Memorials may be made to St Jude Children's Hospital.

To leave online condolences please visit oakshinefuneralhome.com