J. Lillard Johnson, 69, died September 11, 1966 at the Miami County Hospital. He was born September 22, 1896 in Osawatomie, the son of J. S. and Minnie M. Mittong Johnson.

He spent his entire life in Osawatomie, where he attended school and graduated from the Osawatomie High School in 1914. He attended the University of Kansas and the Gem Business College of Chicago. On June 2, 1918 he was married to Georgia Durkee and to this union one son Maj. Joe L. Johnson, was born.

Mr. Johnson was a veteran of World War I, a past commander of American Legion Post 204; past Exalted Ruler of BPOE Lodge 921, receiving his 50-year pin in April 1966; past Grand Chef DeGare of the 40 and 8 Society of Kansas; member of the Osage Valley Lodge 24 AF & AM; Ark chapter 80 of Royal Arch Masons and St. Elmo Commandry 22 of Knight Templers. Mr. Johnson served as post master in Osawatomie for 23 years retiring in December 1965.

Surviving are his wife of the home; the son, Major Joe L. Johnson, serving in the Marine Corps in Aberdeen, Md.; one brother, Loraine Johnson, Sturgis, Mich.; one half-sister, Mrs. Lillian Hill, Osawatomie, and four grandchildren.

Funeral services were held September 14 at 2:30 p.m. in the Birchard Funeral Home with Rev. George R. White, pastor of the First Presbyterian church officiating. Mrs. John Dollar played organ selections. Pallbearers were Ralph Diehm, Fred Brand, Edgar Buchanan, Duane Barnes, Richard Tyrell and James Powell. Burial was in the Osawatomie cemetery with military services at the grave.