Robert E. Johnson, 85, of Circleville, passed away on May 19, 2026.

He was born January 5, 1941, to Kurt Johnson and Mary (Schreckengaust) Johnson.

The only son among four sisters, Bob grew up on a small family farm in Stoutsville, where he often drove the tractor. His sisters would joke, “Bobby Gene drove the tractor while us girls followed behind and picked up rocks!” Bob would simply laugh.

Bob served in the United States Navy for eight years and was honorably discharged in 1966. In 1968, he met and married Donna Cox, the woman he would spend 55 years with until her passing in 2024. Bob retired from DuPont after 30 years of service. He was an avid coin collector and a lifelong sports fan. He especially enjoyed attending sporting events his grandchildren participated in. He was actively involved in his church until his health began to decline, driving the church bus for Circleville First Church of Christ in Christian Union and volunteering his time at the Care Center on Ohio Street for many years. He was a man of few words and dedicated to his family. As one neighbor said, “You can set your watch by that man—he’s never a minute late coming home from work.” If you knew Bob and Donna, you knew he was often waiting for her wherever they went. While Donna chatted with friends and strangers, Bob could usually be found sitting on a bench at a local store or in his van— patiently waiting, OR sometimes not so patiently—honking the horn and calling out, “Come on Mom!”

This time, she was waiting for him—standing at Heaven’s gates with their infant daughter, Penny; great-grandson, Kash; and many others who went before him. What a glorious reunion. Bob is survived by his children: Don (Lisa) Johnson of Amanda, Curt Johnson of Circleville, and Rebecca Johnson (Alex Miller) of Circleville.

Grandchildren: Alisha, Jonathan, Ethan, Seth, Levi, Maggie, Molly, and Mandy. Great-grandchildren: Kane, Kara, Kaytlynn, Amiya, Brylie, Aubrey, Nora, Penelope, Bentley, Kaden, Ryder, Olivia, Harper, Lainey, Morgan, and Kohen. Great-great-grandson: Kooper. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends, as well as brother-in-law Dave Lemaster and special friends Bob and Jean Dollison.

The family would like to thank Heartland Hospice and Pickaway Manor for their exceptional end of life care. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Children’s Hospital or the Sunday School Department of Circleville First Church of Christ in Christian Union at 436 E. Ohio Street Circleville, Ohio. Visitation and Funeral: Thursday, May 28 ,2026, 11am-1pm with the Funeral at 1pm at Wellman’s Funeral Home, Circleville with Pastor Jay Neff officiating. Burial will follow at Heavenly Hills Cemetery. Online condolences can be made to www.wellmanfuneralhomes.com