CHICAGO, IL (August 5, 2014) — Philip Eugene Johnson, husband of Covenant executive minister Evelyn Johnson, died Monday after a long illness. He was 83.
Johnson was born January 18, 1931, in Ceresco, Nebraska. A lifelong Covenanter, he was baptized and confirmed at Bethlehem Covenant Church in Waverly, Nebraska, and was an active member of Covenant churches in Nebraska, Kansas, California, and Illinois.
He married Evelyn Marie Reed on August 12, 1962. Next Tuesday would have marked the couple’s 52nd year of marriage.
Johnson spent 22 years in administration in the field of manufacturing and 18 years in real estate sales and financial services. After his retirement in 1992, he pursued his avocation of cooking and supported many through his passion for intercessory prayer. He was also a supportive spouse to Evelyn, as she served in a variety of ECC leadership positions, including superintendent of the Pacific Southwest Conference, interim executive vice president, and her current role as interim executive minister of Make and Deepen Disciples.
In addition to his beloved Evelyn, he is survived by sons and daughters-in-law, Eric and Sharon Johnson of Chicago and Craig and Kellie Johnson of Lincoln, Nebraska, as well as grandchildren Reed, Payton, Alex, and Trevor Johnson, and a host of relatives and friends.
The funeral will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday at Bethlehem Covenant Church in Waverly, Nebraska. A Chicago memorial service will be held at North Park University’s Anderson Chapel next Tuesday, August 12, at 10:00 a.m.
Memorials may be made to Resurrection Covenant Church Chicago Handicapped Access Fund (3901 N Marshfield Avenue, Chicago, IL 60613), or to the family for donation to Macular Degeneration Research.
How blessed you were with such a loving and supportive husband. May the Lord give you His peace and comfort.
Dear Evelyn,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. We remember fondly our good times at Hillcrest.
Dick and Ernie Olson
Dear Evelyn, My most heartfelt sympathy to you and your family. How rich your lives have been and I pray your joy-filled memories and your deep faith will bring you comfort and hope for the days to come. I am holding you in prayer and knowing our Lord Jesus has you in his arms.
What a dear man Phil was!
My sympathy to you, Evelyn, and the family.
It is a great loss.
Dear Evelyn:
My sincerest condolences. May God bless and keep you in your loss.
My friend, Phil I still put up the Christmas needlepoint you gave me years ago, and every Christmas thank God for the supportive, caring man Phil Johnson was. Peace to his memory, and grace and love to Evelyn and his family.