Anne Johnson

CARBONDALE - Anne Kelso Johnson, 89, passed away on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, at Manor Court in Carbondale, Ill.

Anne was born on May 7, 1936, in Carlinville, Ill., to Maxwell and Ruth Kelso. They later settled in Euclid, Ohio, where Anne attended high school. She earned a bachelor's degree in zoology from The College of Wooster in Ohio. After graduation, she taught high school in Lyndhurst, Ohio, for three years before enrolling at The Ohio State University to earn a master's degree in zoology.

She then planned to study oceanography at the University of Hawaii. However, she took a physics class in her final semester at Ohio State that would change the course of her life. The teaching assistant for that class was a fellow graduate student named Ken Johnson, and he would become her future husband. They married on August 4, 1962, and embarked on a 63-year journey that lasted until her death.

In 1970, Anne and her family moved near Carbondale, Ill., when Ken accepted a teaching position in the physics department at Southern Illinois University. A few years later, Anne started her own career at SIU as an instructor in the physiology department. She spent the next 25 years teaching human anatomy to pre-med students - a profession that she loved.

Anne also served as a former president of the Carbondale Lions Club, a volunteer at Crab Orchard Wildlife Refuge, an organizing committee member for the River to River Relay, and a member of the board of directors for the League of Illinois Bicyclists (now known as Ride Illinois).

When she wasn't teaching, volunteering or spending time with her family, Anne enjoyed gardening and exploring nature. She was passionate about wildlife, and it wasn't unusual to find her incubating an abandoned duck egg or moving a snake off the road so it wouldn't be run over.

She loved to stay physically active and fearlessly tried new sports. Throughout her life, Anne enjoyed ice skating, water skiing, synchronized swimming, horseback riding, competing in local triathlons, skiing and golfing. An avid cyclist, she rode her bike hundreds of miles over the roads of Illinois and Michigan. Even into her 70s, she continued to ride locally.

Although dementia depleted her mind and body in her final years, Anne lived her life to the fullest, always seeking out new adventures and challenges.

She is survived by her husband, Ken Johnson; children Robert (Jane) Johnson, Rick (Cash) Johnson and Lauri (Bryan) Johnson; grandchildren Catherine, Tristan, David, Max, Brooklyn and Sadie; brother Bob (Pam) Kelso; and four beloved cats. Her parents and brother Donald preceded her in death.

Anne's remains, as per her request, will be cremated.

A celebration of life reception will be held on Saturday, July 26, from 12:00 to 3:00 p.m. at Hickory Ridge Golf Course in Carbondale, Ill.

Instead of flowers, the family is requesting expressions of sympathy in the form of contributions to our natural world - whether it's planting a tree, setting up a bird feeder, helping an animal cross the road, or donating to a wildlife or animal rescue organization.

Meredith Funeral Home in Carbondale assisted the family with arrangements. To leave a story or memory of Anne, visit www.meredithfh.com.