ROYALTON -- George J. Johnson, 93, passed away at 4:25 p.m. Sunday, April 27, 2014, in Shawnee Christian Nursing Center in Herrin. He was born Oct. 10, 1920, in Royalton to Willis and Carrie (Painter) Johnson. He married Virginia B. Sanders on July 30, 1960, in Zeigler, and she preceded him in death May 27, 2003. George attended Royalton High School, but did not graduate due to his having the pleasure of being drafted by the Saint Louis Browns Minor League baseball team, which was later bought by the Baltimore Orioles. It can be said that George lived his life to the fullest. His natural ability with sports led him to boxing, where he later received the honor of the "Golden Gloves," which resides in Murphysboro. However, with these accomplishments, he was a simple man, which led his heart back to the small town of Royalton, where he could enjoy barrel fishing and his family. In 1952, he joined the local 773 Labors Union, where he worked until his late 70s. As one can tell, with his years of dedication in the union, George had a passion for improving this small town of Royalton by listening to the townspeople. To help with the improvements, he became an active board member of the city, which led him to become the mayor of Royalton. He enjoyed gardening, smoking his corn pipe, working in his yard and his daily walks. But his favorite activity was watching the Chicago Cubs play. In his last days, George himself said, "I have accomplished everything in life that I wanted to accomplish." Survivors include his daughters, Candy Inchcliff of Royalton (Jack), Carrie Johnson and Jim Marlers of Royalton (James Holland) and Debbie Menckowski of Freeman Spur; many grandchildren, Benji, Brianne and Kristopher Inchcliff, Jamers, Jamie and Jeremy Holland, Amy Brower, April and Ashley Noto, Angela and Rick Tessone and Rickey and Chad Menckowski; and great-grandchildren, Kynzi, Kurt and Cash Johnson, Jesse Holland, Maggie and Gracie Brower, Hunter, Havyn and Hadly Noto, Darien, Alex and Cadence Tessone and Paige Diuguid. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers and sisters; son-in-law, Ricky Menckowski; and grandson-in-law, Michael T. Brower. Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, May 2, in Miners Cemetery, east of Royalton, with Brother Donny Colson officiating. Family and friends are asked to gather at the cemetery prior to the services. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in memory of Mr. Johnson are suggested to the "George Johnson Memorial Fund" c/o Herrin Security Bank, 204 S. Main St., Royalton, IL 62983. Vantrease Funeral Homes, Inc. of Zeigler and Royalton is in charge of arrangements. Visit www.vantreasefuneralhome.com for more information and to sign the online register book. Published in The Southern Illinoisan on Apr. 29, 2014