Eric J. Johnson

Eric James Johnson, 50, of Rockton, passed away on Saturday, January 26, 2019 surrounded by his family, after a courageous battle fighting cancer. Eric was born on February 21, 1968 in Rockford, IL to James “Denny” Johanson and Martha “Marti” (Cline) Holmes. Eric knew that it was his time to go and that night he was surrounded by his wife, Ann; son, Nic; and daughters, Hallie, Anikka, and Abbie. Eric also spoke with his eldest son, Austin who resides in Arizona, on Facetime. Eric told them that he loved them very much and said good-bye. They stayed by his side as he passed peacefully in his sleep.

Eric attended Cherry Valley schools and graduated from Jefferson High School in 1986. He played football at both Jefferson and Rock Valley College. Eric worked for several companies over the years and also was proud to have owned his business called Viking Tool. Eric was currently working at Woodward at the Rock Cut Campus where he was a manufacturing engineer who specialized in EDM. Eric was a family man first and foremost. He loved his five children with all of his heart. Eric loved the game of football and was a major Chicago Bears fan. He also was an amazing football and soccer coach and coached his own children, as well as many others through the Roscoe-Rockton Jr. Indians, Nelson Storm, and most recently the Boylan Junior Varsity Football team.

Eric married Ann (Showers) Johnson in 2012 on the beaches of St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands surrounded by their five children and other family and friends. Eric loved being outdoors, especially on his pontoon. He loved riding his motorcycle, fishing, and traveling. Last summer he was able to explore his Swedish roots with his sons on a dream-come-true trip to Sweden, where he visited his grandmother Sigrid’s home. He also loved cooking huge Sunday breakfasts for his family including his delicious Swedish pancakes.

Eric is survived by his wife, Ann; children, Austin Johnson, Nicholas Johnson, Hallie Molitor, Anikka Johnson, and Abbie Molitor. He is also survived by his mother, Marti Holmes; step-mother, Sandra Johanson; brother, Jeff (Belinda) Johnson and two grandmothers, Martha Cline and Norma Lennox; as well as many beloved others. Special thanks to Eric’s two best friends, Bill Davis and Rob Dal Santo, who were always around to have a bourbon with him. Eric was preceded in death by his father, Denny Johanson.

A memorial service will be held at 7:00pm with Rev. Dan Herman officiating. Visitation from 4:00pm until the service on Saturday, February 2, 2019 in Honquest Family Funeral Home with Crematory-Roscoe Chapel, 11342 Main Street, Roscoe 61073.  Eric's life will also be celebrated on Saturday, February 16, at the Stockyard Rock Burger Bar, 908 W. Riverside Blvd., Rockford 61103 at 8:00pm. Everyone is welcome to join Eric’s family.

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