Joseph H. Johnson

Joseph Harmon Johnson, born December 22, 1944, to the late Robey Johnson and Marilyn (Hoenemeyer) Van Epps, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on November 23, 2023.  Beloved husband of Sue (Mounts) Johnson; devoted father of Kellie (Brian) Hughes and Kevin (Kristina) Johnson; dear grandfather of Reilly, Sean, Kyle and Daniel Hughes; cherished brother of Keith (Debbie) Johnson.  Joe was preceded in death by brothers Wayne (Bev) Johnson and David (Pam) Johnson and sister Lisa Van Epps.

Joe graduated from Xavier University in 1967 with a degree in English.  He walked to Xavier each day and helped to pay his way by working in the school library.  He then entered the Air Force where he served honorably from 1967-1971.  He loved his time in the Air Force as an Air Traffic Controller.  Joe married Sue in 1967 and she followed him to his station at Pope Air Force Base in North Carolina.  Upon his return to Cincinnati, Joe worked as a Senior Underwriting Manager at Cincinnati Financial Center for 39 years. Kellie was born in 1969 and Kevin in 1975.  Joe deeply loved his family and his faith.  He coached youth basketball and baseball as well as managed the company softball team.  Joe led the Assumption parish prayer group as well as many faith-based groups and seminars through the years.  He started a charity at Assumption to help needy parishioners.  Joe presided over two family funerals and even baptized a relative in an emergency situation.  He treasured his four grandchildren and attended every school event and special occasion. He saw the great dignity and value of his autistic, non-verbal grandson.  He was deeply prayerful and a natural leader which drew others to him.  He always gave money to anyone who asked saying, “That is Jesus in disguise”.  Joe literally never said a bad word about anyone.  Joe taught us all how to love.  He was loved by all.

A visitation and Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, December 9^th with visitation from 10:00 to 11:00 am and mass beginning at 11:00 am at St. Margaret of York Catholic Church – 9499 Columbia Road Loveland, Ohio 45140.  Burial will take place immediately following at Gate of Heaven Catholic Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation or to Autism Speaks.