Carl E. Johnson

Carl E. Johnson, 87, of South Beloit, IL, passed away peacefully on April 15, 2025. Born on February 23, 1938, in Rockford, IL, Carl was the son of Harvey and Vera (Lindahl) Johnson. He graduated from East High School in Rockford and went on to proudly serve in the United States Army Reserve.

Carl was the longtime owner of Sterling Machines, Inc. in Rockford, where his mechanical skill and strong work ethic earned him the respect of many. A true gearhead at heart, Carl had a lifelong passion for cars. Whether he was fixing them, racing them, or just talking about them, cars were in his blood. One of his favorite sayings was, “Don’t talk to me if we’re not talking racing.” He was always looking for the next upgrade, the next tweak to make his car faster and bring home that trophy. For Carl, racing wasn’t just a hobby—it was a way of life.

Carl is survived by his loving wife, Emma Johnson; children, Gina Johnson, David and Dalton Harnish; grandchild, Drake Harnish; siblings, Liz (Sam) Amato and BJ (Barb) Johnson; nieces, Dawn, Susan, Jennifer, Shelly, Leanne and Shannon; godchild, Wendy Johnson; dog, Daisy. Predeceased by his parents, Harvey and Vera Johnson; son, John Harnish; brother, Ed Johnson; granddaughter, Mckenzie Karnish.

Memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 26th, 2025, at Honquest Family Funeral Home – Mulford Chapel, 4311 N. Mulford Rd., Loves Park, IL, 61111, at 2:00 PM, with a visitation starting at 1:00 PM until time of service.

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