Dr. Joseph N. Johnson

Dr. Joseph N. Johnson, 95, retired public school administrator and 40-year resident of

Meadville and active in community affairs died Tuesday, May 17, 2005 at Wesbury United Methodist Retirement Community.

Dr. Johnson was born January 28,1910 in the town of Sagamore in Armstrong County, PA to Annie Icher who was born in Germany and Swan Johnson who came to the United States from Sweden at age of 14.  He married Jean D. Douds November 2, 1935 and she preceded him in death October 7, 1996.

Dr. Johnson graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 1932. He earned his master’s degree in 1938 and a doctorate in 1953 from the University of Pittsburgh.

His professional life began as a teacher in grades 5-8 in a two-room school.  This was followed as teaching Principal grades 1-12 in Indiana County, high school teacher, principal and supervising principal in Dayton, Pa. He was on the faculty at Indiana Univ. of PA, Associate Professor at Westminster College, Curriculum Director at Shaler Township Schools in Allegheny County, curriculum Specialist at the Dept. of Public Instruction in Harrisburg, Assistant Superintendent in Crawford County until the office closed in 1971.  He retired from the Northwest Tri-County Intermediate Unit in 1975.

Dr. Johnson was a member of the Meadville Kiwanis Golden K, the John Brown Heritage Association, International Order of Odd Fellows, Phi Delta Kappa and Phi Alpha Zeta Fraternities, the Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators, life member of the National Education Association and the Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees and an Emeritus member of the American Association of School Administrators.

He was on the Board of WQLN from 1965-75, and was a board member and President of the

Crawford County Community Action Association from 1965 to 1975.  He was active in Americans United For The Separation of Church and State.  He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church where he served as an Elder, Trustee, Deacon and as a teacher in the Social Issues Class.

Dr. Johnson is survived by a daughter, Joan Dewey and her husband Richard of Meadville; a son, Roger W. Johnson and his wife Joyce of Pinehurst, NC; and 2 grandchildren Melissa Dewey and Rich Dewey, both of Meadville.  He was preceded in death by his wife, Jean Douds Johnson; three sisters and two brothers.

Calling hours are today (Thursday) from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Robert W. Waid Funeral Home, 581 Chestnut St, Meadville.  The funeral service will be Friday at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home with the Rev. Dr. Brian Jensen, Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, officiating.

Burial will be in Greendale Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 890 Liberty St., Meadville, PA 16335 or University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Development Office, 5150 Centre Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15232.