Edward M. Johnson, aged 74, passed away Thursday, October 2, 2025, in Munster, Indiana.  Born in 1950 to George and Ethel (Peters), he is preceded in death by both parents; his brother, Tom; and his wife, Kathy.  He is survived by his children, Elizabeth (Todd) Avery; Thomas (Ruth) Johnson; Julia (Benjamin) Atkinson; his grandchildren Emma, David, Matthew, Caroline, Adam, and Daniel; and his sister, Linda (Bruce) Ranger.

What is there to say about our dad … a love letter:  He loved his entire family – his wife, his three kids and their spouses, his grandkids, his sister and her family, his kids’ friends, the Olejniczeks, the Hoeppners, the McClanahans, the Clemens.  The door to the house was always open to anyone who needed a place to stay, to lay their troubles down, and he and our mom would take care of you as if you were their own.  He loved his mill buddies, where over hot coffee and cigarettes the world would be debated and discussed, and where friends became family.

He loved American literature, movies, and television.  We are pretty sure 30 years later he still did not believe his eldest finished Invisible Man.  We can all recite Mel Brooks’s movies by heart, and we pretty much speak to each other only in movie lines.  He could, and would, debate with you as to Deadwood being one, if not THE, greatest series created.  May the Schwartz be with you.

He loved being outdoors – fishing, swamping, wherever the trail would take you.  He taught us all the glory to be found in the dunes, to find salamanders, and so many memories were made on trips to Deep River or to Turkey Run.

He loved his pets and his outdoor critters.  Squirrels, birds, and opossums throughout Northwest Indiana have been made all the healthier thanks to his generous and heavy-handed pours of peanuts, bird food, and scraps.  So many turtles have him to thank – if you ever drove down Highways 12 or 20, saw a crazy man stopping on the side of the road to help them cross, chances are you have met our dad.

Among his greatest successes, he counted finally being able to be the guy to give full-sized candy bars at Halloween as a sweet achievement.  He was generous to a fault and would share with anyone in need what he could.

So many things we could go on about, but if you have made it this far, to get to the point…

We know he is at peace being together with our mom, where they most definitely will judge from a cloud all our parenting skills while some Creedence, James Taylor, possibly some Dylan, play in the background.  Next time you have a Coke or a coffee in your hand, raise a toast for him.

Visitation with the family will be held Monday, October 20, 2025 from 3:00pm to 7:00pm at Kish Funeral Home, 10000 Calumet Avenue, Munster.  In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Humane Indiana. http://humaneindiana.org

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