Viola Mae (Mcdonald) Passauer

Viola Passauer, 87, of Rantoul, died at OSF Hospital, Urbana on Monday April 15, 2024.

She is survived by her husband, Richard Passauer, who resides in Rantoul. They were married in 1991. He served 20 years in the U.S. Air Force. She was also married to Gerald E. Johnson Sr. from 1952-1972. He passed in 2014, and was a 20 year veteran of the U.S. Air Force.

Viola is also survived by three children, Sheila (John) Turke from Jacksonville, Curtis (Melissa) Johnson from Monticello and Gerald “Jerry” Johnson from Rantoul; a brother, Bob (Peggy) McDonald from Davenport, Iowa.

Viola had three grandchildren from Curtis: Emily (John) Norfleet, Eli Johnson and Evan Johnson all of Monticello; four grandchildren from Jerry: Ashley (David) Lumbert from Aurora, Brandi (Tyler) Reingardt from Springfield, Ky., Faith (Ben) Crabtree from Athens, Ga., and Hope Johnson from Jacksonville, Fla.; three great-grandchildren from Curtis: Kali Wright, Kenzi Norfleet and Kole Norfleet, all from Monticello; and four great-grandchildren from Jerry: Addilyn and Logan Lumbert from Aurora and Rhett and Karsyn Reingardt from Springfield, Ky.

Viola had two stepdaughters, Amber Passauer of Niagra Falls, N.Y., and Courtney Passauer Lamar also from Niagra Falls, N.Y.; and four step-grandchildren from Amber and Courtney: Sheridan Passauer, Antonio Passauer, Keyona Lamar, Natalya Lamar; and great-stepgrandson, Antonnio Passauer Jr., all from Niagra Falls, N.Y.

She was born in Centerville, Iowa on Jan. 25, 1937. She lived in Rantoul for most of her life and enjoyed working on her garden.  She loved doing puzzles and word searches and was fond of Josh Turner, a gospel singer. She was a fan of WWE.

She was a beautiful person and loved her family very much. She had a good heart and a good relationship with the Lord, Jesus Christ, enjoying many Sundays in church.

She worked at Carle Hospital for 25 years. She was a great mother to her three children for whom she would do anything for. She loved all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a beloved wife and a dear friend to many.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Marley and Louise (Brown) McDonald; a brother, Bud; and sister, Marge Dhamers.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday morning at Lux Memorial Chapel, 1551 E.Grove, Rantoul. The Rev Jason Epperson will officiate. Burial will follow in Maplewood Cemetery, Rantoul. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at Lux Memorial Chapel.

Memorials may be made to the CU Church.