Lyle Johnson

Lyle "Swish" Johnson, 78, of St. Petersburg, FL, formerly of Elburn, IL, passed away on October 11, 2013 surrounded by the love and care of his family.He was born August 18, 1935 in Aurora, Illinois, the son of Gladys Johnson Scalet. Lyle grew up in the Fox Valley and graduated from Batavia High School with the class of ’53. A lover of baseball, Lyle played for Rajah’s Colts from 1951-1954. In 1958, he tried out for the Phillies but was told to gain weight and try again. However, before he could try again Uncle Sam called and Lyle became a member of another team, the U.S. Army. He served from June, 1958 to June, 1960 with the rank of PFC Marksman.Lyle met Barb Breese on a blind date on November 23, 1962. The date was "blind" but love was not and a short time later on February 23, 1963 they were united in marriage; they happily celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary earlier this year. They made their home in Batavia, Sycamore and Wasco before settling in Elburn in 1976. While living in Elburn, Lyle and Barb raised their five children, became involved in the life of the community and made a million memories. In 2002, they left Elburn to make their home in Florida.Lyle worked as a bartender for a number of years at Denny’s Den, Wasco Inn and Ruby’s Half Moon. Until 1968, he worked on dairy farms in Batavia, Sycamore and Wasco. From 1968 to 1975 he was employed at the St. Charles Youth Center then went to work at Hines Lumber Company, St. Charles in 1977 where he remained for the next 21 years. In Florida, Lyle was employed by Conte Excavating until he and Barb moved to Largo where they spent the next five years living next to both of Barb’s brothers and their wives.He was a member of the Teamsters Local #330 and in the earlier years he coached Wasco Little League baseball.A true, blue Cowboys fan, Lyle was also a die-hard Cub fan. In his younger years, he loved a good game of Poker, especially with his sons, son-in-law, and his cousin George Wall and family. He enjoyed golf, reading a good western, a trip to the boat with Jeff and Steph, talking sports with the boys and having a beer with friends. Butterscotch ice cream with butterscotch topping and strawberry candies were his favorite "sweet" treats. He loved a day at the beach with Barb and dinner and cards with Barb and Marge. In more recent years, he also enjoyed traveling with his daughter and son-in-law.Lyle is survived by his loving wife, Barb of St. Petersburg, FL; his children: Paul (Janis) Johnson, of New York, NY, Peggy (David) Stover, of Maple Park, IL, Jeff (Steph) Johnson of Elgin, IL, Dan Johnson of DeKalb, IL, and Ed (Tammi) Johnson of Woodstock, IL; 7 grandchildren: Joe Johnson, Kelsey Johnson, Lance Johnson, Shana Johnson, Gabe Curl, Zak & Ayden Johnson; 2 step-grandchildren, Tim (Susan) Stover and Paul (Alvina) Stover; one step great-granddaughter, Cadence Stover; his sister, Ann (Bill) Boden of Friendship, WI and his sisters-in-law, Marge Breese of St. Petersburg, FL and Kathy Carlson of Monticello, MN; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and a countryside of friends.A memorial visitation will be held Sunday afternoon, October 27, 2013 from 2-5 p.m., at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in his name to benefit his favorite charities. Checks may be made to the "Lyle Johnson Memorial" and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66 Elburn, IL 60119. Tributes and memories may be forwarded to the family at the same address or on the web at www.conleycare.com.