Reverend Wendellr. Johnson

OBITUARY: The Reverend Wendell R. Johnson
The Reverend Wendell Russell Johnson, 82, Topeka, died Wed., May 25, 2011, at St. Francis Hospital's ER. He was born April 9, 1929, in Holyoke, CO, the son of Rev. Harvey C. and Marjorie E. (Wise) Johnson. He was reared in Nebraska. where his father served Methodist pastorates. He graduated from Gordon High School, and Chadron State Teachers College in Nebraska. Wendell received his Master of Theology Degree from Iliff School of Theology in Denver, CO. As a student pastor he served pastorates in Merriman and Hildreth - Wilcox, NE. He was ordained in the Kansas Conference of the Methodist Church and served as pastor of the following churches: Euclid Avenue Methodist Church (Topeka); Seventh Street Methodist Church (K.C.), First UMC (Eureka), Yates Center UMC, Faith UMC (Parsons), and in 1994 retired from Kansas Avenue UMC (Topeka) after serving 48 years as a Methodist Minister. "Rev. Wendell R. Johnson served as a Police Chaplain for the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department in the 1960's during the Civil Rights Movement with distinction during very troubling times. His service was greatly appreciated," stated Chief of Police Rick L. Armstrong. He served as DeMolay Dad in Eureka and Topeka.

He was a member of Sherman Chapter # 8, OES and Helena Chapter # 210, OES and was a Past Patron of both Chapters. He was a member and Past Master (1991) of Golden Rule Lodge # 90, AF & AM; Northeast Valley of the Scottish Rite; Kansas City York Rite Bodies; Midian Shrine (Wichita); Oakland I.O.O.F. Lodge # 640; and Rebekah Lodge # 616. He was appointed as an Imperial Chaplain of the Shrine by Imperial Potentate Frank S. Land in 1955 and had served as a District Deputy Grand Master for the Grand Lodge of Kansas, AF & AM. He was formerly a member of the Lions Club, Kiwanis Club, Moose Lodge, and B.P.O.E. He had been active in the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts and received numerous scouting awards.

Wendell was married to his soul mate, the love of his life, Mina Jean Johnson on Oct. 22, 1953, at Washington Avenue Methodist Church in Kansas City. She survives. Also surviving are 5 children: Jennifer Johnson of Topeka, JoBeth Minks (Dan) of Gilbert, AZ, Jill Cobb (Perry) of Olathe, Lt. Col. JonRobert W. Johnson of Colorado Springs, CO, and Jeffery M. Johnson (Lindy) of Oxford, MS; and 10 grandchildren: Cassandra Johnson; Emily, Danny Grant, and Ashley Minks; Harrison, Bradford, Jackson, and Sydney Cobb; and Madison and Kaitlyn Johnson with another granddaughter expected in October. He was preceded in death by a daughter: Nancy Elizabeth Johnson, and a brother: Dr. Robert W. Johnson.

Funeral services will be at 1:00 PM, Wed., June 1, 2011, at Penwell-Gabel Parker-Price Chapel, 245 NW Independence Ave., Topeka followed by Eastern Star services conducted by Helena Chapter # 210, OES and Sherman Chapter # 8, OES. Masonic services will follow at Penwell-Gabel Cemetery. Wendell will lie in state after 3:00 PM, Tues., at the funeral chapel where the family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. Memorial contributions may be made to University United Methodist Church, 1621 SW College Ave., Topeka, KS 66604.