Betty J. Johnson

Betty J. Johnson, 91, of Flora, passed away on Sunday evening, June 12, 2016 surrounded by her family at IU Arnett Hospital in Lafayette.

Betty was born on January 12, 1925 to William A. Downham and Katherine C. Dunkle Downham in Cass County, IN. She graduated from Flora High School in 1942 and worked as a bookkeeper at Ayres Oil and at Flora Theater before getting married. On July 13, 1947, she married Richard L. “Dick” Johnson. He preceded her in death in 1989. Betty was a member of the Flora United Methodist Church, a founding member of Delta Theta Chi Sorority and a member of Home Endeavor Home Ec Club. Betty loved gardening, reading and helping her husband with their caramel corn business. She also worked at the Flora Thrift Shop. She was a wonderful mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

Survivors include her four children, Lowell (Janice) Johnson of Flora, Gentry (Donna) Johnson of Georgia, Kim (Gary) Forgey of Camden and Janine McGill of Michigan; Niece, Lisa Lovelace; 17 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; one brother, Chuck Helvie of Kokomo; two sisters, Ann (Jim) Byrum of Flora and Charlotte Hicks of Flora.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents and her husband.

The funeral for Mrs. Betty Johnson will be held at Flora United Methodist Church, 103 E. Main Street, Flora, IN, on Friday afternoon at 3:00 pm. Pastor Jeff Landon will officiate. A visitation will be held at the church on Thursday afternoon from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm and again on Friday from 2:00 pm until the time of the funeral service at 3:00 pm. Burial will follow in Maple Lawn Cemetery in Flora. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be sent to The Adoption Fund for John Wesley (Francois) Radcliff c/o Salin Bank (Amy Radcliff). Arrangements are entrusted to Genda Funeral Home Reinke Chapel in Flora.  Online condolences may be directed to www.gendafuneralhome.com.