Pieratt Johnson

Dr. Pieratt Johnson, 88

Dr. Royce Pieratt Johnson, 88, of Rockford, IL, passed away Sunday, August 19, 2012, at Wesley Willows.nbsp; Born June 23, 1924, in El Dorado, Kansas, the son of Dr. Joseph Harold and Sygrid (Carroll) Johnson.

Pieratt graduated from El Dorado High School, El Dorado, Kansas, in 1942.nbsp; He suffered from polio at that time, but after several months of recuperation he joined the United States Navy and served as a pilot during World War II.nbsp; After the war Pieratt attended the University of Kansas, eventually receiving his medical degree from Northwestern University.nbsp; After practicing medicine in several small towns, Pieratt settled in Rockford and started the Family Medical Center with Dr. Harry LaPlante and Dr. John McHugh.nbsp;

In 1978 Pieratt married Sarah Lee (Hougland) Olson in Wichita, Kansas, and they returned to Rockford to enjoy their life together.nbsp; Pieratt enjoyed working on his small farm, raising and showing cattle with his sons in the earlier years, and later helping with the planting and harvesting of corn and soybeans.nbsp; It was not unusual to see him driving his John Deere tractor.nbsp; Pieratt was also an avid sports fan, and he loved to attend sporting events in which his grandchildren participated.nbsp; However, the most important thing to Pieratt, next to his family, was his patients, and providing them with the best possible care.

Survived by wife Sarah Lee of the home, daughter Deborah (Steve) Viktora of Wilmette, IL; son David (Shelly) Johnson, of Rockford; son Dr. Philip (Molly) Johnson of Winneconne, WI; grandchildren Stephanie (Matthew) Sebor, of Chicago, IL; Philip Johnson, of Champaign, IL; Emily (Josiah) Hill, of St. Paul, MN; Paul (Libby Ann) Johnson, of Minnetonka, WI; Mark Johnson, of Milwaukee, WI; Beth Johnson, of Chicago, IL; greatgrandchildren Grace Hill, Lucinda Johnson, and Paige Johnson; stepson Greggory (Jo) Olson, of Beloit, KS; stepdaughter Lynn (Kevin) McWhirter, of Rockford; stepgrandchildren Matthew (Baylie) McWhirter, of Rockford; Sarah McWhirter, of Elizabethton, TN; Olivia OlsonGruber, of Beloit, KS; nbsp;sister Jo Pat (David) Dolsen, of Winfield, KS; nephews Ross Conley, Doug Dolsen, and niece Wendy Hill.

Predeceased by his parents, sister Peggy Conley, brotherinlaw Joe, and nephew Martin Conley.

The family would like to extend their sincere thanks to the staff at Kirks Place at Wesley Willows for the wonderful compassionate care given to Pieratt.nbsp; Our sincere thanks also to Northern Illinois Hospice and Grief Center.nbsp;

Cremation rites have been accorded. nbsp;At Pieratts request there will be no service.nbsp; Memorials to Kirks Place at Wesley Willows and Northern Illinois Hospice and Grief Center.nbsp; Fitzgerald Funeral Home amp; Crematory has assisted the family. To express online condolences please visit www.fitzgeraldfh.com.nbsp;