Gene L. Johnson, 63, of Sturgis, died Sunday, December 9, 2012, at the Department of Veterans Affairs, Fort Meade, after an extended illness.

Gene was born September 13, 1949, in Burke, SD, to Charles and Neva (Hedlund) Johnson. He entered the US Army in 1969 and was honorably discharged in 1971. He spent 19 years driving over the road and the remainder of his life in construction as a heavy equipment operator. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, riding his 4-wheeler in the hills, and spending time with his grandkids.

Gene is survived by his wife, Etta of Sturgis; brothers, Allen of Gregory, SD, and Roger of Burke, SD; his children, Ronnie of Louisville, KY, Susan of Emmetsburg, IA, Patricia of Belle Chasse, LA, Becky of Pierre, SD, and Gina of California; step-children, Tonja of Grand Prairie, TX, and Devlin of Black Hawk, SD; 22 grandchildren; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews, and nieces.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother; grandparents; brother, Ronnie, who was killed in action in Vietnam; and two grandchildren.

Graveside services will be Friday, December 14, 2012, at 2:30 p.m. at Black Hills National Cemetery with Rev. Dorothy A. Anderson officiating. Military honors will be provided by the Sturgis Veteran's Honor Guard.