Louis Benjamin Johnson
December 29, 1922 ~ November 11, 2020
With humble acceptance of God’s will, we announce the graveside service for Ben Johnson of Perry & Willoughby Ohio.
Ben passed on Veterans Day, November 11, 2020 at the age of 97. Our service was delayed due to Covid19.
Ben worked hard for 32 years at Lubrizol Corporation, providing for his family of 4 children and his beloved wife, Sara Jane Burnett Johnson.
He was born on the Johnson farm in Perry and then lived on Kirtland Road, in Willoughby, for most of his life.
His family from all across the country, will gather together to honor his life. There will be a short ceremony outdoors, including a tribute to his service in the Navy, from 1942 to 1945.
If you knew Ben - you are welcome to come and pay your respects. He will be missed by so many who loved him dearly.
Service will begin at 11am on Saturday April 3rd, at the Perry Cemetery - Center St & Middle Ridge Rd, Perry Ohio.
The world lost a beautiful man on Veterans Day, November 11, 2020.
On December 29, 1922, Louis Benjamin Johnson was born at home in Perry, Ohio. Ben was one of 10 kids born at the house on MiddleRidge Rd.
Ben is survived by his loving wife of 73 years, Sara (Burnett).
Son, Mark of Willoughby. Daughter, Sara (Jimmy Bissig) of the Woodlands, Texas. Daughter-in-Law, Kathleen (McNiece) of Perry, Ohio.
Siblings Neva Sims, Jessie Sabo, and Charlie Johnson.
9 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren, including Benjamin Jr. who is due in February of 2021.
Ben is preceded in death by his parents Mark and Floy, sons Jeff and Al, grandson Zak, and daughters-in-law Debra (Mark) and Kathy (Jeff), siblings Victor, Lois, Dale, Vaughn (Dutch), Vera (Bunny), and Avelda (Dolly).
Ben served in the Navy during World War 2. He spent time in the South Pacific and California.
While still serving in the navy, Ben attended Oberlin College and later Otterbein where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in PreMed. Immediately after graduation, where Orville Wright also received an honorary degree at the same ceremony, Ben married his love, Sara Burnett in 1947.
Ben worked a few jobs in Ohio and started their family with Mark Benjamin and then Jeffrey Allen.
The family moved to Virginia where they had John Alfred (Al), and then returned to Ohio where Ben worked his career as a chemical engineer for Lubrizol Corporation, retiring in 1988.
It was upon their return to Ohio that they completed their family with a baby girl, Sarajane, and bought a brick house at 4183 Kirtland Rd. This was their home until 2012.
Benjamin had horses at the Andrews School Horse Barn and attended horse shows on weekends enjoying time spent with his children.
After retirement, Ben worked at Quail Hollow for 20 years as a golf ranger where he enjoyed sports and nature - two of his treasures.
Ben enjoyed playing baseball, golf and billiards. He lettered in basketball and served as the captain of two championship teams and had a killer hook shot. Benjamin also played on the undefeated Ohio Conference football team. He loved to ride his bike, pitch horseshoes, and go for walks to enjoy nature- always holding hands with his beloved Sara.
He was an avid sports fan and loyal to the Browns, Cavs, and Indians.
This holiday season we will miss Benjamin’s gourmet Christmas breakfast and famous fudge.
Louis Benjamin Johnson will be buried at Perry Cemetery. A memorial to honor and celebrate his life will be held at a later date.
Ben loved and followed the Lord fiercely. He was the most devoted husband, father, athlete, veteran, grandfather, and disciple.
Behm Family Funeral Home of Madison is assisting the family. Online obituary and condolences may be viewed at www.behmfuneral.com
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My Condolences. Ben and Sara were good friends with my parents. He will be greatly missed. Dave Lynn
Ben was my grandfather, but he also was a father to me. He was always kind and loving. Encouraging, supportive and understanding. I’ll miss his hugs and sweet messages and unwavering love. I’m so grateful for the 48 years I had with him. But I’m also relieved he is no longer suffering, and has moved on to the next phase of his journey. Thank you to everyone who was there for him. He loved and appreciated every single one of you.
May the branches reach out like his arms. And the trunk be strong and constant. Just like grandpa. Ben Johnson was the sweetest man that ever was.
So sorry to hear of Ben's passing. He was a true gentleman, soft spoken and kind. Al was so much like him… I know he will be greatly missed by his loving family.
I am sorry to hear the news of Ben's passing. My family lived next door to the Johnsons throughout my entire childhood. I knew the family well, spent my days playing with the boys, baseball in the backyard, and basketball on the johnson's court. I looked up to Ben and considered him a father figure. He taught me how to play basketball and we spent hours playing horse (he always won because of his underhand running scoop shot and his deadly accurate hook shot). He taught me how to throw horseshoes on the backyard court that i helped build by digging blue clay from the shores of lake erie and placed in the pits ( he always won). I remember helping build the addition on the back of the house, especially erecting the ridge beam with me standing on a ladder and holding the beam in place as Ben secured it. I then later enjoyed trying to play pool in that same room on their beautiful pool table ( he always won). After moving away from the neighborhood for college and work, as long as my mother lived in the family home, i would always look forward to visiting Ben and Sara. I would wander over to their house, grab a basketball out of the garage And begin to dribble and shoot. When Ben heard the sound, he would always come out of the house and play a game of horse with me as we visited. By this time i was able to win a game every so often. Whoever won that particular day would be “All time Champ”, until the next time – we traded the honor back and forth many times. They were always kind and caring, showed genuine joy when i would visit, and , once in a while Sara would convince Ben to demonstrate that he could still kick the top of the doorway between the dining room and the living room. He really could kick it. While i eventually lost track of them, i always remembered Ben and everything he did for me as i grew up, all the lessons i learned through the years and how much he meant to me. My oldest son, Benjamin, is named after Ben because of how i felt about “Mr. Johnson”, i dont think i ever called him Ben. I will never forget Ben, i do miss him and i will remain forever grateful for him being in my life. I would love to be able to attend a ceremony if one is held at some point. I now live at 221 Riverlake Rd., Fair Play, SC. 29643. fredbrower321@gmail.com. 740-632-6722. Fred (Freddy) Brower.
As you grieve, know that we are remembering you, and honoring the memory of Ben Johnson. Fond memories of him from Rochelle & Dales Prescott family.