Former area resident Charles Edward Johnson, 66, died July 28, 2017, at his home in Peoria, Illinois.

He was born June 19, 1951, in Sycamore, Illinois, to the late Joseph L. Johnson and Martha J. (Brown) Johnson. He was raised in Farmington, Illinois, and Brimfield, Illinois, and raised his family in Buckley. He was a U.S. Army combat veteran who served in Vietnam. He was a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Navy Marine Corps Club, who previously worked as a sawmill operator, journeyman tree trimmer and, most recently, a utility lineman. His interests included coaching wrestling, hunting, motorcycle racing, scuba diving, river rafting, boating, snow skiing and piloting an airplane.

He is survived by daughter Debbie Johnson, son Joey Johnson and stepson Sam Compton, all of Washington state; stepdaughter Debbie Simpson of Laura, Illinois; sisters Deborah (Scott) Kroesen and Linda Geick, both of Illinois; brothers David Johnson of Illinois, Rick (Diane) Johnson of Buckley and Ernest Johnson of Illinois; sister-in-law Donna Johnson of Illinois; and two grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by brother Daniel Johnson and step-son Chuck Compton.

A celebration of his life will take place a noon Sunday, Aug. 27, at the Navy Marine Corps Club in Peoria Heights, Illinois.