Eldon Christian Johnson, 94, of Paxton, Illinois, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on April 3, 2025 at 7:00 pm. He was born on January 5, 1931, in Champaign, to Harry and Maria (Fretty) Johnson. He was a life-long member of the Pontoppidan Lutheran Church.

Eldon graduated from Fisher High School in 1948, where he famously rode his horse to football games. He served proudly as a Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Air Force at Chanute Air Force Base from 1951 to 1954. A dedicated entrepreneur, he co-owned and operated a gas station in Paxton and owned and directed a Service Master Cleaning franchise from 1958 to 1982. Then he turned to his life career as a grain farmer in Champaign and Ford Counties. His passion for John Deere equipment stayed true to "John Deere Green."

Eldon married Betty (Miller) Johnson on June 28, 1952. He was a wonderful family man and they enjoyed their family vacations and summers at the lake. She passed away on July 21, 1984. He married Delsie Garmon Fruhling on December 31, 1996. Delsie and he shared 35 years together in Ford County. Eldon enjoyed a long and full life filled with family, farming, and community involvement. He loved spending time with his wife and kids, taking drives to admire local farms, hunting, fishing in Canada, and playing cards, bowling, and pool. He and Delsie loved to travel through the winter, joining other snowbirds in Mesa, Arizona. Eldon never missed the school programs and sporting events of his great-grandchildren.

He is survived by two children and their families: Jodi Johnson, with grandchildren Travis (Ashley) Enghausen, Jordan (Cody) Lenart, and Dalton Dettmering; and Bradley (Christi) Johnson, with grandchildren Zac (Taylor), Eli, Mariah, Luke, Chance (Kristin) and Maggie. His bonus family includes stepchildren Katrina (William Dick) Cheney, with grandchildren Ashley (Abraham Mellish) Cheney and Kaitlyn (Andrew Dona Van Castile) Cheney; and Gary Smock with grandchildren Wendy (Chris) Graham, and Jason (Alaine) Smock. He will be missed by his 11 great-grandchildren. Eldon was preceded in death by his brother Howard Johnson, sister Lucille (Johnson) May, and stepsons Terry Smock and Danny Smock.

He served his community in myriad ways, including as a trustee of Pontoppidan Lutheran Church in Elliott and as member of the East Bend Township Board. He was a life member of Moose International,  belonged to the American Legion and Am Vets. A lifelong Illini fan, Eldon will be remembered for his dedication to family, his love of the land, and his deep roots in the community.

Visitation will be at the Baier Family Funeral Home, 406 East Pells Street, Paxton, on Tuesday, April 15, 5-7 pm. Funeral Services will be held at the Pontoppidan Lutheran Church, 186 North 1100 East Road, Elliott, on Wednesday morning, April 16, beginning at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Pontoppidan Lutheran Church. Condolences and memorials can be shared with the family at www.baierfuneralservices.com