Charles “Chuck” Johnson was born on April 26, 1933 to Emmert “Red” Johnson and Mabel (Kaiser) Johnson, and died on December 19, 2025. He is survived in death by his wife, Thelma (Fuchs) Johnson, sons Rick (Connie) Johnson, Roger (Susan) Johnson, Ralph Johnson, Raymond Johnson, and Roy (Lisa) Johnson. He is also survived by his four grandchildren, Nicholas and Rebecca Johnson (Rick and Connie), and Micaela Knueven and Marissa Johnson (Ralph Johnson), sister, Sonia (Bob) Kaffenberger, and sister-in-law, Frances Johnson. He is preceded in death by both of his parents, brothers, Donald Johnson, Paul (Sally) Johnson, Clayton (Frances) Johnson, and daughter-in-law Connie (Ralph) Johnson.
Chuck was the second child born to Emmert and Mabel Johnson in Guilford, Indiana. He was raised in Bright, Indiana and attended Bright Elementary School and Bright High School (class of 1951). In his early adulthood, Chuck joined the United States Army. During his time in the army, he was stationed in Germany, the Netherlands, and France.
After his time abroad with the army, Chuck returned to Indiana, where he met his wife, Thelma, at a church dance. They were married on September 20, 1958. They were married for 67 years. Throughout this time, Chuck worked several jobs to provide a good life for his wife and five sons. He started working as a machinist at Cincinnati Incorporated in 1956. He retired from CI in 1995 after 39 years of service. In 1969, Chuck went to Iowa to attend auctioneer school, where he became a licensed auctioneer. With this certification, Chuck was able to start his own auctioneering business. He conducted countless auctions all over the tri-state area. During his time as an auctioneer, he sold the earth and everything on it. Even though Chuck was the star of the show during the auctions, his family was always working in the background to make things run smoothly. Chuck was also the country butcher for decades in Dover. He and his sons slaughtered and processed cattle for local farmers and sold freezer beef.
Even though Chuck worked hard at CI, as an auctioneer, and as a butcher, there is really only one profession that he wants to be remembered as: a farmer. Chuck was the proud owner of a 100 acre farm in Dover where he and his sons raised cattle and hay. Evidence of Chuck’s strong work ethic can be found all over his farm. He worked tirelessly to build and maintain his fences and red barns, always aiming for perfection. Chuck was also proud of his tractors and farm equipment and loved to keep them clean and in working order. There was no project that was too big for Chuck to tackle. He did not believe in paying for something that he could do himself. He understood that when something is properly taken care of, it will last forever. He cared deeply about his land and his animals, and often worried himself sick over them. His biggest fear in life was that his cows were going to get out!
Somehow in his busy life, Chuck found time for hobbies. He enjoyed raising a beautiful garden in the summertime and sharing its harvest with his family and neighbors. He served his community as a 4-H leader and 4-H President in the Dearborn County 4-H Association. He was also a member of All Saints Parish at St. John’s in Dover. Chuck’s favorite hobby, however, was socializing. He never met a stranger and could spend hours talking about anything. He practiced this hobby frequently as an avid summer festival attendee, eating at every fried chicken dinner in a forty mile radius from his farm in Dover. He also enjoyed a good fish sandwich from the Logan Store. After socializing with people, Chuck would often tell others that they “seem like a hell of a nice guy.” In a world that can sometimes be depressing, Chuck always saw the good. The good in work, the good in people, and the good in life. Overall, to describe him in his own words, Chuck Johnson was a “hell of a nice guy.”
Visitation for Chuck will be held on Friday, December 26 from 3:30pm – 7:30pm at Andres-Wuestefeld Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, December 27 at 11:00am at All Saints Parish St. John’s Campus. Burial in the church cemetery with military honors will immediately follow. For those unable to attend, Mass will be live streamed at https://www.youtube.com/user/aspweeklyhomily. Memorials can be made to the All Saints Prayer Shawl Ministry, St. Leon Volunteer Fire Department, and theDearborn County 4-H Association. Family and friends are encouraged to leave condolences at www.andres-wuestefeldfh.com.