Daniel L. Johnson, age 73, of Flora, Illinois, passed away early Monday morning, October 14, 2024, at his home.

      He was born January 5, 1951, in Flora, the son of Leon B. and Edna Mae (Henson) Johnson.  He was united in marriage to Wendy G. Smallwood on November 14, 1997, in Salem, and together they have shared 26 wedding anniversaries.

      Dan was a graduate of Flora High School where he played football and basketball.  He went on to earn his associate degree in science at Olney Central College and his Bachelor of Arts at Eastern Illinois University.  Dan was self-employed at Johnson Insurance & Financial Services and had previously worked for Prudential Insurance Company and AMF in Olney.  He proudly served four years in the Air Force during Vietnam where he earned the rank of Sergeant and was awarded the Commendation Medal.  He was proud of his heritage and liked to tell of how his great-grandfather was Dr. T. A. Johnson of Xenia and his great-great-grandfather was Dr. Moses Johnson whom the town of Johnsonville was named after. 

      He enjoyed bird hunting, singing karaoke, and most importantly, tournament fishing.  He was a life member of the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society, a member of the Jasper County Bass Club and past President of East Fork Bassmasters.  In 1980, Dan placed in the top 6 out of 38 states and 3 foreign countries in the State of Illinois Championship National Bass Tournament.  He loved to tell the story of his wife winning the Big Bass-Bass Tournament at East Fork where the guys said to him, “Well, Dan you did it again,” and his response was, “You’ll need to talk to my wife.”

      Dan was a member of Orchardville Church where he was baptized in September of 2021.  In his faith he was spiritually ready to leave his earthly body and let his spirit ascend to Heaven.  He loved God and could tell you many stories of “God winks.”  Dan’s wish was for everyone to attend church and have a relationship with God.                

      He is survived by his wife: Wendy Johnson of Flora; children: Hunter Johnson of Rinard, Michelle (Donovan) Johnson-Henry of Carbondale, and Eric Johnson of Denver, Colorado; a granddaughter: Samantha Henry; 2 brothers: Vern (Gail) Johnson of Ohio and James (Linda) Ross of Effingham; a sister: Diane Johnson of Farmington, Missouri; father-in-law: Dean Smallwood of Dundas; brother-in-law: Clinton (Janet) Smallwood of Nora Springs, Iowa; and 2 sisters-in-law: Carla (Craig) Patterson of Olney and Glenda (Paul) Croegaert of Richmond, Texas.

      He was preceded in death by his father: Leon Johnson; mother: Edna Mae Fatheree; stepfather: Dallas Fatheree; and mother-in-law: Joan Smallwood.

      Services will be planned for a later date.  Arrangements are by Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora.  Memorial donations are suggested to the Orchardville Church Building Foundation Fund or Clay County Hospice, and these will be accepted through the funeral home.  To share a condolence or memory, visit: www.frankandbright.com