White Funeral Home
400 First Street West
Independence, Iowa 50644

Independence – Robert Paul Johnson, Sr. of Independence died Monday, December 17, 2018 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids after suffering a heart attack at home.  Bob was born on October 23, 1956 to Daryl and Sandy Johnson in Independence.  He attended the Independence schools graduating from high school with the Class of 1975. Two weeks after graduation he shipped off to Marine boot camp in California with an all Iowan platoon.  Bob proudly served in the United States Marine Corp from 1975 to 1985.  He did tours in California, Okinawa, Japan (2) and Camp Lejeune in North Carolina.  After his military service, Bob returned to Iowa and worked heavy equipment construction with Rampart and McAninch traveling on projects throughout the Midwest.  He started at John Deere Waterloo Works in January 2007 and was a proud member of the Deere family and UAW 838 for the past twelve years.

Bob and the former Dawn Cue were married June 24, 1978 in Independence.  They later divorced.  They have two children; Robert Paul Jr and Mandy Lynn. For the past seventeen years, Bob and Tiny Brayton have shared their lives together while living in Independence.  They have enjoyed time with family, home projects, NASCAR, the Green Bay Packers and Iowa Hawkeyes, playing bags, cooking & grilling, casino trips and a cold beer or two.  Bob’s dedication to Old Milwaukee Light is legendary.

Survivors include his life partner, Tiny; his son Rob (Pam) Johnson of Cedar Falls; his daughter Mandy (Nathan) Ritter of Hazleton, and grandson Tayt Robert Johnson of Independence. His stepchildren include: Tracey (Brent) Brunssen of Atkins and Adam (Traci) Brayton of Independence and step grandchildren Jordyn, Lea and Nash Brunssen and Cameron, Kinley, Quin and Kate Brayton. Bob is also survived by his mother Sandy Johnson, brothers Daryl Johnson Jr. (Mary Kay), Larry Johnson (Kelly) and sister Debbie (Randy) Blin all of Independence.  Uncle “Bobbo” was loved deeply by his many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father Daryl Sr., brother Kevin and his grandparents.

Bob thoroughly enjoyed Christmas and through the Iowa Organ Donor Network some recipients will be getting Christmas miracle gifts this year.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, December 22, 2018, at the First Presbyterian Church in Independence with Rev. John Hougen officiating.  Burial will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery in Independence.  Friends may call for visitation from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 21^st, at the White Funeral Home in Independence where a Military Service begins at 6:30 p.m.