Elwin "Olan" Johnson

Longtime Benton, Kansas resident Elwin “Olan” Johnson died Monday, February 24, 2020 at Wheat State Manor in Whitewater, Kansas. He was 86 years of age.
Elwin Johnson was born on February 27, 1933 in Severy, Kansas, the son of Ralph M. and Hazel O. (Houghton) Johnson. He was raised and grew up in Beaumont, Kansas and graduated from Leon High School graduating with the class of 1951.
Out of high school he went to work at Boeing in Wichita, until he entered the United States Army in 1953. During his time in the service he spent 1 year in Korea. He was Honorably Discharged in 1955.
On May 27, 1956 he was united in marriage to Leola Yvonne Wallace in the First Baptist Church in Eureka, Kansas. They had three children, Debra, Cheryl, and James.
After Olan’s return from military service he went back to work at Boeing Aircraft in a career that lasted 30 years before he retired. He also worked for Beechcraft and the city of Benton.
One of Olan’s joy in life was camping. He enjoyed fishing and taking trips to Branson with Leola. They also enjoyed going on Village Tour bus trips, and going on a few cruises together. He was very involved in various church activities. His greatest enjoyment was spending time with his family.
Preceding Olan in death were his parents, and infant sister Nancy, and his brother Roy Johnson.
Surviving family members include his loving wife of 63 years Leola, his children Debra Branson and her husband David of Wichita, Cheryl Privett and her husband Robert of Augusta, and James Johnson and his wife Jane of Halstead. Siblings Shad Johnson and his wife Leota of Enid, OK, Merritt Johnson and his wife Minnie of Eureka, KS, Marion Johnson and his wife Joyce of Neal, KS, Peggy Johnson of Eureka, KS, Patty Chiles and her husband Ernie of Jackson, MO, and Mike Johnson of Andover, KS. He is survived by 9 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.
A visitation with the family will be held on Thursday, February 27 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Carlson Funeral Home in El Dorado, KS.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, February 28, at 10:00 AM at the Palmyra Baptist Church, rural Benton, KS. Burial will follow in the Benton Cemetery with Military Honors by the Unites State Army.
The family suggests any memorials be made in Olan’s name to the Alzheimer’s Foundation.
Friends may share condolences online with family at www.carlsoncolonial.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Elwin "Olan" Johnson, please visit our floral store.