PIPER CITY - Joseph E. Johnson, 77, New Lenox, died in a single engine airplane crash about 1:30 p.m. Monday (July 21, 2008).

His funeral will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Presbyterian Church in Piper City, with the Rev. Alan Cheney officiating. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Reilly-Redenius Funeral Home, Piper City. Memorials may be made to a charity of the donor's choice. Please sign the guestbook at www.redeniusfuneralhomes.com.

Joseph was born Jan. 14, 1931, in Piper City, son of Lars and Dora Vogelbacher Johnson.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Nadine Clark; one son, Charles (Pam); two daughters, Peggy (Mike) VanOrdstrand and Janice (Rusty) Wallace; seven grandchildren, Ben, Blake and Chance Johnson; Kelsey and Max VanOrdstrand; and Dustin and Nichole Wallace; one brother, August L. Johnson; as well as many nieces and nephews.

He was an avid golfer and lived part of the year in Fort Myers, Fla. Two years ago he fulfilled a lifelong dream and got his light sport pilot license. He flew at least twice a week in Illinois and Florida.

He served four years in the U.S. Air Force from 1950 to 1954, and was stationed in Okinawa for 18 months. He worked 38 years for Natural Gas Pipeline Co. of America, starting in Herscher in 1955, but spent most of his career working out of the Chicago office.

Joe and Nadine enjoyed traveling and had taken several trips to Europe and Asia. They hosted a family vacation in North Carolina each year for their children and grandchildren. For many years they traveled in their motor home from Florida to Alaska, and everywhere in-between. They camped with a large group of friends and family from their hometown, Piper City.

Joe's good nature and friendship will be missed by those who knew and loved him.