Dorothy Jean Wheeler Johnson passed away the evening of Friday, October 9, 2020, just a few hours shy of her 85th birthday. Born in North East, Pennsylvania, she graduated in 1953 from Ripley Central School in Ripley, New York. A constant caregiver for her family, Dorothy attended Hamot Hospital School of Nursing in Erie, Pennsylvania and graduated in 1956. During her career, she was a pediatric nurse and medical/surgical nurse. She also worked in case management.
Dorothy, a Registered Nurse (RN), worked at W.C.A. Hospital in Jamestown, New York until she moved with her family to Arizona in August 1975. Dorothy was employed at what is now known as Banner Desert Medical Center in Mesa, Arizona. Within a year, she began working at Mesa Lutheran Hospital. Dorothy continued providing her skills there until her retirement at the age of 65. However, that did not stop Dorothy. She volunteered for Meal on Wheels and was a Parish Nurse at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Mesa, Arizona. Plus, in the midst of a pandemic, this angel took temperature checks at Eternal Life Lutheran Church in Mesa, Arizona.
Dorothy was the daughter of Raymond Graydon Wheeler and Julia Hanna Schultz Near Wheeler, who preceded her in death. Her siblings also predeceased her: William Mark (Norriel) Near, Alice May Near Rogers (Felix) Prawdzik, and Audrey Ann Wheeler Eimers Rowe. She married Norman Everett Johnson on May 16, 1958 in Jamestown, New York. Although they divorced in 1983, they did share three children, one grandchild, and three great-grandchildren. Michael Anthony Johnson predeceased both parents in 2005. Survivors include Dorothy’s daughters Suzan Janette Johnson Scherpereel Braun of Queen Creek, Arizona and Nanci Louise Johnson (Cyril) Cahill of Edgemont, South Dakota. In addition, she is survived by a cherished granddaughter Karena Catherine Cahill (Geoff) Benway of Edgemont, South Dakota and three great-grandchildren: Bryleigh Catherine Benway, Murphy Coleman Benway, and Carsen Michael Benway – all of Edgemont, South Dakota. In addition, she is survived by several loving nieces and nephews, including some who have predeceased her.
An extremely religious woman, she was baptised on December 16, 1936. Dorothy was later confirmed on April 10, 1949 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, North East, Pennsylvania.
Viewing will be from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m., Tuesday, October 13, 2020 at Mountain View Funeral Home and Cemetery, 7900 E. Main Street, Mesa, Arizona 85207. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m., Wednesday, October 14, 2020 at Eternal Life Lutheran Church, 7025 E. Main Street, Mesa, Arizona 85207. This will be followed by a graveside service at Mountain View Funeral Home and Cemetery, 7900 E. Main Street, Mesa, Arizona 85207. 480-832-2850
Please note that CDC guidelines must be followed during the viewing and funeral services in terms of social distancing and the wearing of masks.
So sorry for your loss, I know you’ll miss her terribly. That was a beautiful obituary, she certainly led a full life and left a wonderful legacy in her children and grands. She was a loving, intelligent, dedicated woman, and you can be proud to have had her for a mother.
My sincere condolences for the loss of your mother. I got to know Dorothy late in her life and she was a jewel. She will be missed.
Aunt Dorothy was one of the hardest working women I’ve known. Although I didn’t often see her, she was a prominent presence in my early life. She loved her children and grandchildren very much. She will be missed. However, I know she has secured her spot in heaven and is now free of pain and illness.
Dorothy was a 2nd mom to me! I am so blessed that she was apart of my life for so many years. I have so many fun and great memories of her! She loved the Lord with all her heart, was an awesome mom and grandma/great too! Will be remembered forever!