Erma Janet Johnson

Erma Janet Johnson, age 84, of Dover, passed away Wednesday evening, September 17, 2008, in her home following a courageous battle with cancer.Born January 5, 1924, at Courtney, Pennsylvania, she was the daughter of the late Harry Peter and Helen (McCormick) Dersam. After completing her high school education, Erma met and fell in love with her husband, William Johnson, with whom she celebrated 65 years of marriage with on June 19, 2008. Together, they enjoyed a lifetime filled with love and happiness sharing the joys involved with rearing five children and participating in the lives of 13 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. Erma was fond of playing bridge with the Duplicate Bridge Club for more than 30 years. As an active member of the First United Methodist Church in Dover, she enjoyed many years of membership in the church’s Lois Circle.Erma is survived by her husband and their five children including Brian (wife, Pat) Johnson of Cuyahoga Falls, Cliff (wife, Peggy) of Crestview Hills, Kentucky, Sandy (husband, Roger) Winburg of Beaver Creek, Ohio, Beth (husband, David) Gundy of New Philadelphia and Dorothy (husband, Mark) Sheets of Columbus, Ohio. She will also be sadly missed by her grandchildren, Matt (wife, Liz) Johnson, Damian Johnson, Andi, Brittany, and Catilin Johnson, Charissa (husband, John) Theobald, Bethany and Amy Winburg, Benjamin, Aaron, and Kelly Gundy, and William and Sarah Bolin; her great-grandchildren, Connor and Evan Johnson and Abby Theobald; and her sister, Ruth Zielensky. Erma was preceded in death by her parents, and her three sisters, Laura Hawkins, Marian Crabb, and Mary Ellen Dersam.Visitation will be held Saturday, September 20, in the Geib Funeral Center at Dover from 12 to 1:30 p.m. A service celebrating Erma’s life will begin at 1:30 p.m. with the Rev. Bruce McLaughlin officiating. Immediately following the service, a reception will be held in the Hospitality Room at the Geib Funeral Center.The Johnson family requests that memorial contributions be directed to Hospice of Tuscarawas County, 201 W. 3rd St., Dover, OH 44622.