Carol Elaine Johnson Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Carol Elaine Johnson, age 76, of Bourbonnais died Tuesday, June 14, 2022 at Christ Hospital in Oak Lawn. She was born on August 17, 1945 in Chicago, the second of three children, to Lester & Ann (Balazentis) Johnson. Carol taught Physical Education at Erie High School for 34 years. She spent many of those years as the girls’ volleyball coach. During her summers, she had worked at Cheley Colorado Camp in Estes Park as the camp photographer. Carol was a brilliant photographer. She enjoyed capturing the natural world as much as she loved being in it. You could find her mountain hiking or bicycling when she had spare time, especially during the early morning hours, with her camera secured around her neck. Carol also enjoyed reading about astronomy and gazing through her telescope as a pastime. Carol was a loyal daughter, sister, and friend. She showed up for all the times, not just the good ones. She taught adult literacy in Kankakee County for many years. She was an active parishioner of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Kankakee and Maternity B.V.M. Catholic Church in Bourbonnais. She was a daughter of Christ; humble, unassuming, and in quiet service to others. She was proud to be an affiliate member of the Servants of the Holy Heart of Mary. Carol did not have children of her own but helped rear two generations of children from infancy to adulthood. She was a protector, trustworthy, and infallibly dependable- a teacher until the end. Carol had a no nonsense “can do” attitude, a sincere kindness to the children she cared for, and a generous demeanor. They say it takes a village to raise a child, that’s because women like Carol live there. Her village will miss her dearly. Surviving are her dear sisters, Donna Mae Johnson of Bourbonnais, Beverly Ann Crowley and her husband Dan of Bartlett, TN, and Beverly’s children, Annette, Karen, James, and several great-nieces and great-nephews. Carol is preceded in death by her parents; her niece, Michelle Meents; and her great-nephew, Ryan Markham. Visitation will be held from 2-6 p.m. Sunday, June 19. 2022 at Clancy-Gernon Funeral Home in Bourbonnais. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Monday, June 20, 2022 at Maternity B.V.M. Catholic Church in Bourbonnais. Interment will follow at Mount Calvary Cemetery in Kankakee. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis or to the Cheley Colorado Camp for camper’s scholarships.

Carol Elaine Johnson

August 17, 1945 - June 14, 2022