Taylor Road
Irene H. Johnson, 100, of Taylor Road, died at 12:25 a.m. October 16, 2016, at Four Seasons Retirement Center.
Irene was born December 8, 1915, near Nashville, Ohio, the daughter of William Grover and Ida Mary Ullman Harris. She married Merrill K. Johnson June 21, 1938. He preceded her in death July 13, 2016.
Irene attended Nashville (Ohio) elementary and high school and Ashland College. She began her teaching career at age 19, teaching three years at Shipps Elementary School, which was a one-room school.
After her marriage to Merrill K. Johnson, she moved to Indiana and did substitute teaching in the Indianapolis elementary schools. In 1947 the family moved to Columbus, Indiana, where she completed her Bachelor of Science degree at Franklin College and taught one year at Jackson Township elementary school. She then began a 16-year career of teaching at Central Middle School, during which time Irene earned her Master’s degree from Indiana University.
Irene was a member of First Christian Church since 1948 and served as superintendent of the Junior Department for 14 years. She was also a member of Fidelis Home Economics Club and a leader of a Brownie Scout troop.
The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, October 20, 2016, at First Christian Church with Dan Wallace officiating. Calling hours will be from 10 a.m. until time of service Thursday at the church. Burial will be at Clayton Cemetery.
Survivors include her sons, Edward W. (Amy Wu) Johnson of Indianapolis and Douglas S. (Casey) Johnson of Columbus; a daughter, Merrillyn Sue Reynolds of Columbus; grandchildren, Nicole (Hector) Acevedo and Kimberly Johnson; and four great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Merrill; brothers, Walter, Daniel and the Rev. George Harris; and sisters, Norma A. Williams and Wava M. Amstutz.
You are invited to view her video tribute after 10 a.m. Thursday, light a virtual candle and send a message to the family via the internet.
