Alice Louise Bleichner Johnson

Alice Louise Bleichner Johnson, 98 years old, passed away Monday, Sept. 5, 2022 at 6:39 a.m. at River Crossing in Peoria. She lived in the Hanna City/Peoria area most of her life and recently resided at Evergreen Senior Living for the past 2 years.

She was born February 1, 1924 at Oakhill, IL to Carl Rudolph and Mamie Albine (Rupp) Bleichner. She married Benjamin Clarence Johnson on November 12, 1955 at St John Lutheran Church. He preceeded her in death on November 19, 1981. She is also preceded in death by her parents, her siblings and their spouses: Baby sister, Robert (Ann) Bleichner, Clifford (Eleanor) Bleichner, Ruth (James) Smith, Harold (Mardell) Bleichner, Glen (Lois) Bleichner, and Merle Bleichner.

She is survived by her only daughter, Carol L and her husband Andy Cowser, four grandchildren: Cheryl (Derek McFarland) Walsh, Alan (Katie) Cowser, Aaron (Kelly) Cowser of Princeville, and Adam (Elizabeth) Cowser of Elgin, eleven great grandchildren: Reagan & Rylie Walsh of Princeville, Alyvia, Colson, and Kendall Cowser of Princeville, Kinsley, Brenner, Brooks, and Briggs Cowser of Princeville and Ailish and Cillian Cowser of Elgin, and a sister in law, Juleen Bleichner of Byron, MN.

Also surviving are many nieces and nephews including a great niece Brianna that checked in on her to learn more about the Bleichner family and Great Great neices and nephew Ashlynn, Ty and Brinnley McFarland, who she had the pleasure of getting to know. She had many cousins, especially Betty and Eileen who kept in touch with her.

Alice walked to Moore Grade School near Oakhill all 8 years. As a young girl she worked for Art Windish picking strawberries. After graduating grade school she worked for Almeda Nickerson to do housework and look after her children. This job allowed her to go to Elmwood High School and to graduate salutatorian with the class of 1942. After graduation, she walked to ride the Caterpillar bus on route 8 each day to Peoria to attend the Brown’s Business College on Jefferson St. After a few months she was hired as a secretary to work for the Peoria County USDA Farm program ASCS office located in the Farm Bureau Building. She worked this job for 47 years and knew every farmer in Peoria County. After retiring she continued to work another 15 years for Peoria County Soil and Water. In retirement she enjoyed being with her grandchildren and taking her first airplane ride at 73 years to go to Disney World. She also enjoyed activities at St John Lutheran Church. These included Leisure Group, Sunday School, Church, Sewing Blankets, ladies group, and potlucks. As one of the oldest members of Farm Bureau, she enjoyed spending time with the “Prime Timers”. She also enjoyed her “Bus trips” with her brother, Clifford and wife Eleanor. Mom was a true farmer, seeing the ups and downs of farming. She always wanted to know how the crops were and was thrilled to see the next generation farming the family farm. She loved her family.

Funeral services will be Friday, Sept. 9, 2022 at 11 a.m. at the Davison-Fulton Woodland Chapel in Peoria. Rev. Michael Jones will officiate. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. till time of services at 11 a.m. on Friday.

Burial will be in Parkview Cemetery in Peoria.

Memorial may be made to St John Lutheran Church, Bartonville, IL

You may view Alice’s obituary online at www.davison-fulton.com