Leo "Jack" Johnson

Parnell- Leo "Jack" Johnson was born January 18, 1930 in Brighton, Iowa. The son of William and Viola (Waggoner) Johnson. He attended Parnell School until enlisting in the Navy. He served in the United States Navy from 1949 to 1969 retiring as a AMCS. Jack was united in marriage to Mary Sullivan on September 6, 1951 in Parnell. To this union they were blessed with three children. Mary passed away in 2004. Jack later was united in marriage to Marilyn Donohoe Hanson on November 3, 2006 in Parnell. Jack worked for the United States Postal Service in Iowa City then Parnell serving as Postmaster for 20 years. He formerly was an active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Parnell serving as a lector and later the leader of the Parnell Rosary Group. He enjoyed collecting John Deere tractors, gardening, fishing, hunting and spending time with family and friends. He was a 50 year member of the Parnell American Legion. Jack passed away on Wednesday, May 13, 2020 at the English Valley Care Center in North English at the age of 90.

He is survived by his wife Marilyn; a son, Bill (Linda) Johnson of Iowa City; a daughter, Margaret (Vito) Safina of Parnell; two step children, Michael (Daun) Hanson of Iowa City and Mary Pat Hanson of Tiffin; four grandchildren, Tony Safina, Michael (Kara) Safina, David (Andrea) Safina and Mary Ann (Todd) Wehner; a step grandson, Quinn Karstens; 12 great grandchildren; four sisters, Eva Riley of Seattle, WA, Lila (Daryl) McCallister of Williamsburg, Donna (Bill) McCallister of Marengo and Betty Estabrook of Grandview and a brother-in-law, Dan (Dolores) Sullivan of North Liberty. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Mary and a son James "Dan" Johnson.


A private Funeral Service will be held Monday, May 18, 2020 at 10:00 am at the Powell Funeral Home in Williamsburg. Burial will be at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Parnell following the funeral service. A public visitation (The family will NOT be present at this time) will be Sunday, May 17, 2020 from 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm at the Powell Funeral Home in Williamsburg. There will be a drive through visitation to greet the family on Sunday from 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm at the Powell Funeral Home parking lot. Please enter the North Drive. Messages and tributes may be left at www.powellfuneralhomes.com.