Paul D. Johnson age 91, of Newton, Illinois, passed away Friday, September 4, 2026, peacefully surrounded by his family.
Funeral services honoring Paul’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, September 9th, 2026, at the Crain Funeral Home, Newton, Illinois. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, September 8th, 2026 and from 10:00 a.m. until time of services, Wednesday, September 9th, in the funeral home. Burial will be in the West Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery, Newton, Illinois.
Paul was born to Dee and Viola Johnson and was one of ten children—six daughters and four sons. He grew up in Jasper County, beginning his education in the one-room Longswamp School, later attending Galloway School and graduating from Newton High School. Jasper County would remain his home throughout his life.
Paul married Elnora Bixler on February 14, 1957. Together, they built a life centered around family, farming, hard work, community and friendships. They enjoyed traveling together, attending the Indianapolis 500 and Illinois State Fair, and had the opportunity to travel throughout the United States and abroad. They shared forty-six years together before her passing on February 11, 2004.
Paul proudly served his country for eight years in the National Guard and Army Reserve. He spent much of his working life in agriculture, managing grain elevators and spending approximately 37 years at Willow Hill Grain. He also owned and operated a family farm. Paul believed deeply in hard work, responsibility and keeping your word—values he passed along to his children and grandchildren.
Throughout his life, Paul was deeply involved in his community and the agricultural industry. His service included the People’s State Bank Board of Directors, Illinois Grain and Feed Association, Wade Fire Protection Board, Illinois State Fair Advisory Board, Jasper County Democratic Party Chairman, and numerous other boards and committees. In 2015, Paul received the great honor of being presented with the Richard C. Siemer Outstanding Philanthropist Award, recognizing his generosity, community involvement, and commitment to making Newton and Jasper County a better place.
Paul was proud of Newton and Jasper County and continually looked for ways to preserve, improve and invest in the community he called home. Over the years, he was involved in projects ranging from improvements around the Newton square and the Burl Ives statue to preserving and redeveloping local properties and helping bring a hotel to Newton. He remained a businessman and investor throughout his life, always looking ahead to the next idea or opportunity.
Paul was also a longtime member of several local organizations, including the Elks, Eagles, VFW, Moose Lodge and American Legion, Kedron United Methodist Church, and served his community in numerous additional capacities. More than anything, Paul enjoyed people. Whether visiting at the VFW, Hardee’s, the Legion, BJ’s or the bowling alley, he rarely passed up an opportunity for a conversation. One of his favorite pastimes was simply driving through the countryside looking at the crops, pointing out homes and sharing stories about the families who lived there.
Paul is survived by his children, Cathy Jones of Newton; Steve Johnson and wife Shelly of St. Joseph, MI; and Cindy Johnson and wife Jess Danielsof O’Fallon, IL; his grandchildren, Nicole Jones of Las Vegas, NV, Billy Jones of Newton, Jessica Schulte and husband Kent of St. Joseph, MI, Ross Johnson of Ft. Wayne, IN, Aaron Johnson and wife Catlyn of St. Jacobs, IL, and Dani
Johnson of O’Fallon, IL; his great-grandchildren, Tessa Jones, Taylor Schulte, Owen Schulte and Eli Schulte, Hallie Cate Johnson; his siblings, Ruth Hutchinson of Colorado Springs, CO, Delain Johnson of Urbana, IL, Zana Tarr and husband Kendall of Newton and Cheryl Dunn of Myrtle Beach, SC; along with many nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Elnora Johnson; his parents, Dee and Viola Johnson, son-in-law Bill Jones and siblings Lois Strole, Donald Johnson, Cloyce Johnson, Madonna Klier and Rita Pickens.
Paul will be remembered in many ways—as a farmer, grain elevator manager, businessman, community leader, friend, brother, uncle, husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. But perhaps most of all, he will be remembered as a man who loved his family, loved his community, loved his country, and believed that when something needed to be done, you got it done.
Online condolences may be offered at www.crainfuneral.com.
