Larry Johnson

Larry E. Johnson, age 85, of Miller, Missouri, passed away at 10:18 p.m. on Saturday, April 5, 2025, at the Mt. Vernon Place Care Center. He was born on March 26, 1940, in Miller, Missouri, to Venton and Mae (Eutsler) Johnson. 

The family attended Onward Methodist Church. Larry was baptized at Turnback Creek in 1955 and remained a faithful Onward member for the duration of his life. 

Larry was a 1958 graduate of Miller High School where he earned a State Farmer Degree his senior year. He was a lifelong farmer on the Johnson family land in the Onward Community where his great-grandfather Elisha Johnson had settled after the Civil War. Larry farmed side-by-side with his dad Venton and his Uncle Wren all of his childhood and well into his adult life. 

Fellow farmer and friend JW Kingsley took Larry to sign up for the United States Army Reserves in 1962. He reported for duty at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri, later that year and was eventually sent to duties in Ft. Sheridan, Illinois, outside of Chicago. Larry served in the Army Reserves until 1968. 

In November of 1969, Larry married Martha (Vincent) Wilson of Carthage, Missouri. His sister Carolyn Natho and brother-in-law Archie served as witnesses at Larry and Martha’s wedding. 

Larry and Martha lived together on the Johnson family farm and loved being surrounded by close family and friends in the Onward Community. 

Larry began hauling propane to families and farms throughout the county part-time in 1978. In 1982, he began working full-time for Empire Gas where he eventually became manager of the Miller office. Larry was well-known and liked throughout the area for his gracious service and kindness as the local “propane man.” 

Larry’s life forever changed in January of 1983 when Martha died in a car accident. Larry and Martha’s family and community sustained Larry through this time, and Larry was forever grateful. 

Larry is survived by three sons, Douglas Wilson (Rhonda), Robert Johnson, and Charles Johnson; two daughters, Sarah Larsen (John) and Carole Ellis; four grandchildren, Nolan Johnson, Brooke Morgan, Lindsay Lawson, and Liv Larsen; three great-grandchildren, Liam Smith, Derrick Lawson and Tanner Morgan; his sister, Carolyn Natho and nieces, Susan Block and Barbara Wagner also survive. 

His wife Martha and his parents Venton and Mae preceded him in death, as did his beloved Aunt Alta and Uncle Wren Johnson, Aunt Jo Kreger and Uncle Keith Kreger, Uncle Jerry Johnson, brother-in-law Archie Natho, daughter-in-law Dia (Stevens) Johnson, and son-in-law Steve Ellis. 

A funeral service under the direction of Morris-Leiman-Mosher Funeral Home in Miller, was held at 2 p.m. on Friday, April 11, 2025, at the Onward Methodist Church. Burial followed in Misemer Cemetery. 

Memorial donations may be made to the Misemer Cemetery in care of the funeral home.

Online condolences may be shared at www.FossettMosherFuneralHome.com.