Donald Eldon Johnson

Donald Eldon Johnson

Memorial services for Donald Eldon Johnson, 72, were held Dec. 7, 2002, at the Niobrara County Fairgrounds with Pastor Gary Walker of Lance Creek Community Church officiating.

He died Dec. 9, 2002, at the University of Colorado Hospital in Denver.

A native of Lusk, he was born June 27, 1930, to Mabel Rose Carlisle and Reuben A. Johnson. He received his early schooling in Lance Creek and graduated in 1950 from Manville High School.

He entered the U.S. Army on May 22, 1951, and served in the Korean War. He went to medic school at Shinodyama, Japan, and served with the Ambulance Co.-25th Medical Battalion, 25th Division at Heartbreak Ridge, Punch Bowl and several other places. He was awarded the United Nations Service medal, Combat Medical Badge and the Korean Service Medal with one Bronze Star. Separated from the service in 1953, he was discharged Feb. 2, 1958.

He ranched with his father and two brothers in Lance Creek. He also owned a business hauling water to drilling rigs. The Johnsons also operated a dairy in Lance Creek for several years, the last Grade-A raw milk dairy in Wyoming.

On February 3, 1957, he married Gloria Faye Vogel of Lusk. After moving briefly to Adel, Iowa they came back to ranch full time at Lance Creek.

He was a leader for the Lance Creek 4-H Club; a charter member of the Wm. McKibben VFW Post 7562 in Lance Creek; and a member of its Wyoming VFW Mounted Color Guard. He later transferred his VFW membership to Niobrara VFW Post 3511 in Lusk, where he held a life membership.

He served as commander of both posts, as well as numerous other offices. He was also a 50-year member of the Wieten Dupes Post No. 4 American Legion in Lusk, a volunteer fireman in the Lance Creek area and a life member of the Niobrara County Historical Society.

After the ranch sold in 2001, he and his wife moved to Wheatland.

Survivors include his wife of 46 years Gloria of Wheatland; one son Artie Johnson of Lusk; two daughters, Debra Kay Millard of Pavillion, and Vicki Lynn Pinneo of Wheatland, a brother, Robert Johnson of Sheridan; a sister Maxine Miller of Sheridan; five grandsons, Will, Taylor, and Trenton Johnson of Lusk, and Matthew and Daniel Pinneo of Wheatland; and numerous nephew, nieces and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Florence Lancaster in 1977 and a baby girl in 1917, and one brother, Wayne Dariel Johnson in 2000.

Memorials may be made to the Veterans' Memorial Boards in care of Wieten-Dupes Post No. 4, Box 593, Lusk; Niobrara 4-H council; or Lance Creek Community Church.

Cicmanec-Pier Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

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