Rochelle

Wondell "Curley" Johnson, 76, of Rochelle, Illinois went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, June 27, 2021.

Curley was born in Jetson, Kentucky on August 13, 1944 to Revil and Anna (Phelps) Johnson. In his teens, Curley moved to and lived in Paris, Illinois for a number of years. In 1986, Curley met his wife, Ginny, in Kingston, Illinois and were married later that year on October 24th. Shortly there after, Curley and Ginny moved to Rochelle, Illinois. Once there, Curley began his own painting contracting business in his name sake, Curley Johnson Painting, where he retired in 2007. Aside from his painting business, Curley is well known in the local community and throughout the state of Illinois for his bluegrass performances, his love for music and his signature train whistle.

Curley is preceded in death by his parents, Revil and Anna Johnson, his brothers: Randall and Jim Johnson, his sister, Nelma Johnson, his niece, Nicole Pennington, his grandson, Dustin Hansen and his beloved dog, Patches.

Curley is survived by his wife of 34 years, Ginny; children: Lee (Marty) Johnson of Alpine, Utah, TJ (Amanda) Johnson of Paris, Illinois, Kim (Tom) Jones of Georgia, Lisa K. (Marlon) Jones of Rockville, Indiana, Angie (Kevin) Whitaker of Paris, Illinois, Dede (Mike) Comingore of Rochelle, Illinois, Tracy (Carlos Rojas) LeMay of Rochelle, Illinois, and Becky (Mike) Peters of Oswego Illinois; siblings residing in Kentucky: Larry (Debbie) Johnson, Kookie (Fred) Richards, Kendall (Sharon) Johnson, Wilma Friel (and the late Terry Friel), Joe Johnson and Steve (Ellen) Johnson of Paris, Illinois. Curley also leaves behind several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews whom he loved, no doubt leaving an indelible mark and memory on their lives.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Curley Johnson Musicians Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o of the Unger-Horner Funeral Home, P.O. Box 87, Rochelle, IL 61068. Cremation care has been provided by the Unger-Horner Funeral Home. Visit www.ungerhorner.com to sign the online guest book.