Marilyn Johnson Obituary

Marilyn Jean Johnson

May 29, 1931 - January 24, 2025

Marilyn Jean Johnson (née Buckley), 93, passed away peacefully Friday, January 24, 2025, in Batavia, Illinois. She was born May 29, 1931, in Aurora, Illinois to James and Christine Buckley (née Schwartz). The family owned and operated Buckley's One Stop grocery store on Route 25 in Aurora, a landmark of the Pigeon Hill community for over 60 years. Marilyn worked in the store's ice cream parlor as a girl. They were members of Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Aurora.

Marilyn graduated from Madonna High School in 1949. She became a legal secretary after graduation and worked at the Kane County Courthouse. She had exceptional typing and shorthand skills.

Marilyn met her husband, Elwyn (John) Johnson, through mutual friends and they married in 1957. Elwyn graduated from East Aurora High School in 1948 and was a member of Saint Mary's Catholic Church. He served in the US Air Force in the Korean War, then proudly graduated from the University of Illinois.

In 1963, Elwyn and Marilyn opened Naperville Rental Center in Naperville, IL. Elwyn operated the business and Marilyn joined the organization full-time in 1976, after their children were in high school. Together they grew the business which rented general contractor and homeowner tools and equipment, along with a large-scale party and wedding division started by Marilyn. They retired after 30 years in business and happily split their time between Batavia, Illinois and Venice, Florida.

Marilyn was a pillar of her family. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Her love, faith and traditions will live on for generations as her greatest achievement. She will be remembered for her twinkling-eyed smile, her decorating skills and her words of wisdom.

Marilyn is survived by two loving daughters, Carol (Chuck) Barrett and Cristi Hoffman, both of Batavia, and one cherished son, Roy Johnson of Burlington, Wisconsin. She is also survived by her five adoring grandchildren, Karen (Chris) Lundquist of Mosca, CO; Eric (Lynette) Johnson of Kenosha, WI; Emily Barrett of Batavia, IL; Kelly (Nash) Giacoma of Chicago and Heidi Hoffman of Chicago. She is further survived by two sweet great-grandchildren, Wyatt and Dahlia Johnson of Kenosha, WI, as well as her dear in-laws and many beloved nieces and nephews. Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, her loving husband, Elwyn; their infant daughter, Karen; their son-in-law, John (Cristi) Hoffman; and her only sibling, Dan Buckley of Aurora.

Marilyn's family would like to extend their thanks to the staff at The Landings, in Batavia, for the compassionate and loving care they provided to Marilyn during her residence there.

Visitation for both Marilyn and Elwyn will be held at Saint Joseph Church, 722 High Street, Aurora, IL on Monday, February 10, 2025, at 9:00 AM, followed by mass at 10:00 AM. The interment will follow immediately at Mount Olivet Cemetery, 278 Ashland Avenue, Aurora, IL. A luncheon will follow at Ballydoyles, 28 West New York Street, Aurora, IL. The loving couple who had been married and laughed together for 63 years will be celebrated and laid to rest together.