Orion Tillman Johnson, 94, Paynesville

January 25, 1925 - February 26, 2017

Graveside Services will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, March 1, 2017 at the Paynesville Cemetery for Orion Tillman Johnson, age 94, of Paynesville. Orion passed away February 26 at the Veteran’s Medical Center in St. Cloud. Orion will be laid to rest with full military honors. A gathering and a time of sharing will follow at the Paynesville Area Senior Center.

Orion was born January 25, 1923 in rural Paynesville to Oluf and Tina (Pederson) Johnson. He served in the U.S. Navy during WWII. He was deployed to the Japanese mainland to assist in the cleanup after the atomic bomb destruction of Nagasaki. He married Wava B. Pauls on September 7, 1946 in Paynesville. They were blessed with three children whom they raised on the farm together. They faithfully served in the Paynesville Evangelical Free Church for many years. He will be remembered for his love of family, friends, and farming.

Orion is survived by his children Orlin (Karen) of Geneso, IL, Linda (Walt) Lowe of Mansfield, OH and Oluf (Debi) of Paynesville, 8 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren, his brother Ray (Pat) Johnson of Chico, CA and his sister Alice Thompson of Orange, CA.

Orion was preceded in death by his parents, wife Wava, and brother Cliff.

Memorials are preferred in lieu of flowers.