Mary Ellen Johnson

Mary Ellen Johnson, 80, of Rockford, passed away at 1:05a.m. on Tuesday, July 15, 2008.  She was born on April 10, 1928 in Rockford; the daughter of Nate and Marie (Doonan) O Brien. Mary Ellen was a 1946 graduate of Muldoon Catholic High School. She married Ted W. Johnson on February 11, 1950 in Rockford; he predeceased her on November 10, 1998. She was a member of St. Mark Lutheran Church and formerly a member of St. Bernadette Catholic Church. She volunteered at Rockford Memorial Hospital and later at River Bluff Nursing Home. Survivors include her sons, Curt Johnson, Gordy Johnson, Chuck (Kathy) Johnson and Bill (Mary Gummow) Johnson; grandchildren, Jason Johnson, Nels Johnson, Derek (Toni) Johnson, Julie (Jordan) Rieker, Ian Johnson; great-grandchildren, Sean, Zack, Austin, Will and Eagan; sister, Margaret Spoden and many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by her parents, husband and brother-in-law, Jack Spoden. Funeral services will be held at 11:00a.m. on Friday, July 18, 2008 at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Riverside Chapel , 3910 N. Rockton Ave. with Reverend Christopher Hawkins, of St. Mark Lutheran Church officiating. Burial in Willwood Burial Park. Visitation will be held from 5-7pm Thursday, July 17 at the funeral home and from 10-11am Friday before the service. Memorials may be made to the Arthritis Foundation, Rockford Health System, 2400 N. Rockton Ave., Suite 207 , Rockford, IL  61103-3667. To