The Athlete and Fan
1. Wimpy loved sports and the thrill of competition. He seemed to always root for the underdog.
2. In 1994, Wimpy was unanimously selected to the Chester Sports Hall of Fame in its inaugural year. 
3. Wimpy was literally a Chester sports history book. He could tell you just about anything regarding Chester sports. I can remember many times just sitting with my dad and Wimp out hunting or fishing and talking about some of the best players in Chester's history. He could tell you when they played, why they were so good, where they went after high school, their team's record, it was amazing. Never once, though, did he ever mention himself, though he was perhaps the best all-round athlete Chester has ever seen.
4. I'll bet if you ask Peggy or Kathy, they would tell you that you could count on your hands the number of home football games that Wimpy has missed in the last 25 years.
5. I can remember a few years ago spending the second half watching Chester play against Sesser in a playoff game. He marveled at watching Todd Cowan shoot, we all marveled at Todd. I also know that Wimpy enjoyed watching Roger Clendenin catch the football.
6. As I look back when I played, I can remember often the times that Wimpy went to watch me play the high school games, the Legion baseball games, the College games. It didn't matter where the game was played or what sport, I could always expect to see Wimpy there some how, some way. He even once made a trip to Wichita, Kansas with my mom and dad to see me play when I was at Southern. Why else would you go to Wichita?!
7. I believe that Wimpy, Peggy, and Kathy have been at every important event in my life -- grade school graduation, high school graduation, countless athletic events, my wedding, and my ordination as a deacon. To this day, Wimpy's attendance at my games has forever been etched in my mind. There are a couple of kids from my church in Murphysboro that I make a point to attend their games just as Wimpy attended mine. This meant SO much to me. I want to care for and support these kids as much as Wimpy cared for and supported me.
8. I don't know if there are TVs in heaven but if the good Lord allowed him he probably watched the Super Bowl this past weekend.
The Person
1. I remember Wimpy not as the person of the last few years but the person that was a physically strong man. His shoulders, arms and chest reflected his strength. We would probably be amazed at the number of scoops of wheat and beans he shoveled over his working years at Cole's Mill and Conagra. It surely would have filled many trucks. I don't know how many of you would know this but Wimpy walked back and forth to work for many years, AFTER working in the garden for 30 to 45 minutes. How many of you could this?
2. Wimpy loved to garden. Each spring and summer you could expect to see a huge garden next his house (beans, corn, tomatoes, you name it). I was the beneficiary of much of the produce from that garden. We never could figure out if he talked to the plants, prayed for them or preached to them but what a bumper crop he would have.

3. Wimpy loved to hunt and fish He would work at Conagra and have a fishing line in the river while he worked. I think that Wimpy, my dad, and I practically wiped out the ground hog population in Randolph County.
· He loved to hunt rabbits. I remember one time going up around Evansville, just he and I, hunting rabbits. We shot until our gun barrels were so hot we couldn't touch them. He loved to hunt squirrels. I can remember many a time he and I going late fall squirrel hunting at Carter's. We would walk through the woods and shoot them like rabbits. 
I remember the times going with Wimpy and my dad to Pecou slew off the old river bed, and to various farm ponds in the area. Just the three of us in a little 12 foot john boat. These are the times I remember talking about athletics, life, and family. These are perhaps the most precious times in my life with the two men that mean the most to me in the world.
4. Never in my life have I met a more humble and compassionate person as Wimpy Johnson. He always took the time for me and he no doubt has done the same for you.
5. Wimpy has been in my life for 34 years. In that time, I have never heard him utter profanity. I've never seen him lose his temper. I've never seen him brag on himself. I've never seen him complain about anything or feel sorry for himself. And, I've never seen him pass judgment on anybody. There were times in my life and probably your lives too that Wimpy could have judged us but he wouldn't and didn't. He would have literally given the shirt off his back to me or anyone that would need it. And you know, I can say the same things about his wife Peggy.
6. I can remember the time that we were playing church softball. Talk about the play at the plate! To my knowledge, Wimpy never complained, blamed or held any bad feelings toward anyone.
7. Wimpy was also proud of his community. He served as Ward 1 Alderman to the Chester City Council for 15 or so years. They tell me that on one cold, wintry day there was a gas line rupture. Wimpy walked the streets on that cold night helping city employees light gas furnaces so that heat could be restored.
8. You know, Wimpy had a sense of humor too. They tell me that Peggy and my mom were on this weight loss kick, or at least they were discussing it. It seems that Wimpy took it upon himself to help them out. As the story goes, he penned an eloquent letter of instructions to each and sent them a large manila envelope with this guaranteed weight loss product. It seems the envelope contained a 12” wide inner tube with instructions to pull it up around their waists and thighs and walk a mile each day.
9. But, perhaps the one thing that defines Wimpy was his battle with his kidney ailment. As many of you know, he became sick working around the chemicals he was exposed to at work. He eventually needed kidney dialysis treatment and could no longer work. Today's society would have told him to take legal action -- but not Wimpy. He carried the burden of his illness with dignity. To my knowledge, he never complained to anyone about his condition or situation. That, to me, defines Wimpy Johnson the man.
The Family Man
1. I know that Wimpy loved his family because if he cared as much for me as I think he did I know that he had to love his family beyond measure.
2. I believe that Wimpy loved his family and provided for them the best way he knew and that was through hard work. He married his high school sweetheart, Peggy Rodewald.Together they started out in their first house, which they fondly called the “chicken house.” Later, they were able to purchase a plot of ground from Mr. Hamilton, which turned out to be the site of their present home. He told my dad how he had to cut down old orchard trees and grub out the roots and stumps to make the site suitable for their home. Wimpy and Peggy have two children. Jerry and Kathy, you were his pride and joy and I believe that he was so proud of you and loved you with all of his being. Jerry, I can remember many a car ride to watch you play ball. Kathy, I will forever know you as the babysitter for my sister and I. Gary and Alma, I can't envision a better father-in-law than Wimp. 
3. I know he also loved his grandchildren just look at the pictures of him with his grandchildren and that smile on his face. Janae, Jessica, Jeffrey, Dustin, and Amy, your grandpa was something special. Amy, you were married this past fall and how important it must have been to you for Grandpa to be there. You know, during the service I watched Wimpy as you took your vows and I could see how proud he was of you. I can still remember the reception when I got to see Wimpy around his grandkids and how proud he must have been. 4. I hope that someday my wife, my kids, and my grandchildren will remember me as you will remember Wimpy. 
The Christian
1. This, to me, is the most important characteristic of Wimpy Johnson. He believed that the Old Rugged Cross made a difference in his life and could in your life too. 2. Wimpy was a tireless worker around church and a true servant to our Lord. His work can be characterized in Proverbs 22:4 -- “True humility and respect for the Lord lead a man to riches, honor and long life”. It was common to see him shoveling snow from the sidewalks, chipping ice from the front steps and making sure the furnace was providing warmth for the sanctuary. Wimpy was also instrumental in the addition of the Education Building that was added on to the back of the original church building. 3. On Sunday mornings and evenings you could always find Peggy playing the organ and Wimpy in the first or second pew. 4. On Wednesday evenings you wouldn't find Wimpy hunting or fishing you would find him at church. 5. At Elm Street, my home church in Murphysboro, we are involved in an evangelistic program called F.A.I.T.H. -- Forsaking All I Trust Him. Forgiveness is Available but it's Impossible unless your Turn you eyes toward him and when you do you can receive Heaven as your home. I want to call your attention to the 'H' or heaven. Did you know that there are two facets of Heaven -- Here on earth and Hereafter.
HERE -- John 10:10: “I have come that they may have life and have it more abundantly.” Look around today, look at all of the people that have come and paid their respects last night and today. Look at Wimpy's wife and family. Surely, you would agree with me that Wimpy's life was full of abundance.
HEREAFTER -- John 14:3: “And if I go and prepare a place for you I will come again and received you to myself so that where I am there you may be also.” 
I know as sure as I'm standing here that Wimpy Johnson is in heaven. I know this because the same Jesus that lives in my heart lived in Wimpy's heart. He taught me this as a Sunday School teacher here in this church. Wimpy would never push religion on us, but his life was a true expression of the love of Jesus. Wimpy taught me that you can hunt, fish, be an athlete and still love the Lord.
In closing, I think Wimpy would want us to know how much he loved and appreciated his devoted wife, Peggy. Peggy, you have to know how much he appreciated your care, your support, your concern & the married life you both shared together for almost 55 years. 
They say to emulate someone is the highest form of compliment. I stand before you today and tell you that if I could be half the man that Wimpy was I would be more of a man than most. I thank God for the opportunity of knowing Wimpy Johnson. Wimp, you may be gone from this life but you will forever be a part of mine. I look forward to seeing you someday in heaven and watching a ballgame together. Wimp, you were my Sunday School teacher, my hunting buddy, my friend, and a second dad to me. I will always love you and I will never, ever forget you!

(A familiar sight from Wimpy's hometown, Chester, IL, on the Mississippi River.  Photo by Doug Apple)