MCLEANSBORO – Daniel Ray “Danny” Johnson, 82, of McLeansboro, IL, passed away on Thursday, June 5, 2025, at his home. Danny was born on November 19, 1942, in Eldorado, IL, to John Leslie “Pete” Johnson & Thelma Jewel (Satterfield) Johnson. On May 1, 1992, he married Sandy (Zinn) Johnson, who survives.
Danny went to Barber School in Decatur in 1960 and worked as a barber until leg and back problems forced him to look elsewhere for employment. Danny became a member of the B.P.O.E. Elks Lodge #1882 in McLeansboro in 1964, and he eventually served in every different office with the lodge. He became Exalted Ruler in 1968, and he was installed into that title again in 1972. He began working part-time at WMCL Radio in McLeansboro. That turned into a full-time position in March of 1968. He left there in the Fall of 1972 to start in a sales position with Connaway Ford. The dealership later changed its name to Connaway-Smith in 1974, when he left to start working in a sales position with John Hancock Insurance. After winning several sales awards, he was promoted to Staff Manager and stayed in that position until 1980. The owners of WMCL radio contacted Danny, and they negotiated an agreement for him to purchase the radio station. Danny instituted many beneficial changes after taking ownership. After several years, Danny was forced to sell the radio station due to a heart condition. Retirement didn’t sit too well with Danny, so he began working part-time for the Ten Mile Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area. In 1999, he began attending church and was converted. He became a member of Christian Chapel Church in 2000. He later began driving a school bus in the 2000s until he fully retired in 2018.
Danny is survived by his wife, Sandy Johnson of McLeansboro, 4 sons, Scott (Jackie) Johnson of McLeansboro, Jimmy (Krystal) Ingram of McLeansboro, Scott (Teresa) Ingram of McLeansboro, and Justin (Kara) Ingram of Norris City, IL; a daughter, Deannine (Donnie) Craddock of McLeansboro, 15 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and caretakers, Debbie Bowers and Danielle Vineyard, who took such good care of Danny over the past few months.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Pete & Thelma Johnson; a son, Bradley Allen Johnson; a grandchild, Lucas Johnson; a great-grandchild, Ezra Guthrie; 2 sisters, Carleen Bailey and Shirley Aydt; and a brother, Dewain Johnson.
Funeral services for Daniel Ray “Danny” Johnson will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at Christian Chapel Church in McLeansboro with Jesse Vineyard III, Pastor Allen Spangler, and Sister Ruby McDowell officiating. Visitation will be held from 5 until 8 p.m. on Monday, June 9, at the church. Interment will immediately follow the funeral service at Ten Mile Cemetery in McLeansboro.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Danny’s memory to SSM Hospice of Southern Illinois and will be accepted at the church or at Gholson Funeral Home in McLeansboro, which is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.gholsonfuneralhome.com.
