Obituary of Emily Dill Johnson

On Nov 21, Emily Dill Johnson passed away peacefully with her loving husband, Charles (Chuck)  by her side. She was reunited with her charismatic son, Brent, her adoring father, William, her sweet father and mother in-law, Jack and Charlotte, and many others who helped shape the strong, graceful, faithful, funny woman she was.

Emily is also survived by her children and their spouses Tiffany and Guy Meikle, Adam and Deborah Johnson, her two beautiful grandchildren Luca and Giovanni, her mother Evelyn Dill, her siblings Eddie Dill, Mary Elaine Dill, Kay (Steve) Kreutzer, her in-laws Dennis and Ann Johnson, Eddie and Dianne Moore, a host of nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and friends who she considered her chosen family.

She moved from Alabama to northern suburbs of Chicago in 1953, grew up in Winthrop Harbor and Zion, and graduated from Zion-Benton Township Highschool in 1969.  She was a member of the Church of Christ in Zion. She went to Florida College for two years, transferred to Western Illinois University, then landed at Carthage College where graduated with her degree in Elementary Education. She and Chuck were married in August of 1972. She taught 4^th grade in Zion for a few years, then had Tiffany, Brent and Adam to keep her more than a little bit occupied and entertained. She stayed at home with her children until 1988, when Brent passed away from leukemia. She taught her kids and her husband how to do laundry and fend for themselves, and went back to work as a first grade teacher at East Elementary school. She was passionate about the children she taught, always standing up for them, their best interest was her top priority in every argument she had, and eventually won. She went on to be elected to the Zion Benton High School board in the 90’s and held that same passion, championing the best interest of the students and not backing down if she thought her voice needed to be heard.

Each summer she went to her happy place, Sea Island, GA with her family. She played with her kids at the beach, hunted for seashells, made them get very dressed up to have dinner.  Next would be playing BINGO and threatening manner’s class if they didn’t behave. After she retired from teaching, she spent as much time there as possible with family and friends making cherished memories. She got to dance with Chuck to Beach Music, watch her daughter marry her best friend, take her grandson Luca for his first walk on the beach, and most recently watch Chuck get in trouble for feeding Luca cookies before bed.

You may be reading this thinking about how she taught you to read, or drove your child to a doctor’s appointment, or stood up for you when no one else did.  You might be reading this thinking about getting lost with her because she had a terrible sense of direction, or laughing so hard over something stupid you both peed your pants. You might be reading this thinking about how she was a pillar of strength for you when you were going through a hard time in life.  She wants you to remember these moments and carry on, knowing she is watching over you, protecting you and with you on your next adventure.

Her second fight with cancer was met with the same determination as her first.  She was private about it. Her wish was to be cremated, and rather than have a sad funeral, her family is planning to do two things to honor her.  On December 13th from 12-4pm, Chuck, Tiffany and Adam will host a celebration of her life for their family and treasured friends at The Shanty (38985 US-41, Wadsworth, IL). Please come planning to share a story and a laugh. The second way they plan to honor her is through a Scholarship Fund.  As an educator, school board member, mother and grandmother, her life’s legacy will be an annual scholarship awarded to a student at Zion Benton Township High School who has a zest for helping others and wants to seek a career in educating children or of civil service. Checks can be made payable to Tiffany Meikle on behalf of Emily Dill Johnson Scholarship Fund. Please email tiffanyleigh23@hotmail.com for details on where to send your donation.