Catherine Johnson

Catherine V. (Norton) Johnson, 101, of Danville, IL passed away at Pleasant Meadows Senior Living in Chrisman, IL on August 12, 2026 at 4:30 AM.

Catherine was born on December 7, 1924, in Pender, Nebraska, to Mr. and Mrs. Arthur K. (Minnie) Cline, now deceased. She attended elementary school in northwest Wisconsin, high school, and two years of college in northeast Nebraska; taught a rural one-room school in northeast Nebraska for one year and then attended and graduated from Creighton Memorial St. Joseph Hospital School of Nursing in Omaha, Nebraska, now Creighton University, and became a registered nurse.

She moved to Danville, Illinois, to intern at the Veterans Hospital, where she met and married her first husband, Clarence L. Norton, in 1947. He passed away in 1966. She married Ralph Johnson in 1972, and he passed away in 1975.

Siblings: Vivian Temps (deceased), Beverly Fauser, Cub Run, Kentucky, Art (deceased), Gerry Cline, Cub Run, Kentucky, and Maurice Cline (deceased).

Children: Larry J. (Gayle) Norton of Dacula, Georgia, Thomas E. Norton (deceased), his partner (Kathy Haley) of Danville, Illinois, Diane C. Spilker (Don) Spilker (deceased) of Indianapolis, Indiana.

Grandchildren: Shay Norton Leonard (Dave) of Northville, Michigan, Sherry Norton Bagley (Jefferson) of St. Petersburg, Florida, Jason Norton (Connie) of Bloomington, Illinois, Brad Norton (Brandi) of Catlin, Illinois, Ashley Breedlove (Matthew), Indianapolis, Indiana, Alyssa Muhlhauser (Daniel) of Greenwood, Indiana.

Great-grandchildren: Nathan Leonard, Casey Leonard, Sydney Bagley, Holden Bagley, Ethan Breedlove, Malia Breedlove, Erza Muhlhauser, Emery Muhlhauser, Blake Norton, and Brayden Norton.

Catherine worked at Lakeview Hospital (OSF) and then at the Veterans Administration Hospital, from where she retired in 1984.

She was a life member of Creighton Memorial St. Joseph Hospital alumni association, Danville Art League since 1970 (Past President), Danville Area Arts Council since 1988, Charter member (1989) Arts in the Park, NARFE (National Association of Federal Employees), Red Mask Players, Danville Light Opera, Danville Symphony Orchestra, American Legion auxiliary in Thurston, Nebraska, Heritage Museum of Thurston County, Nebraska, Vermilion County Museum Society and the Vermilion County War Museum Society.

As per her wishes, cremation rites will be accorded and Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Danville, Illinois, 3940 N Vermilion St. Danville, Illinois 61834 is assisting the family with arrangements. The family invites you to share memories, photos, and messages of comfort on her tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.