Mary Ann Johnson

JOHNSON, Mary Ann (Bohlender), aviation historian and Dayton native, passed away in Dayton Friday, January 23, 2015. Mary Ann was born in Dayton on August 10, 1922. She graduated from Steele High School, Miami University (Alpha Omicron Pi) and Wright State University. At Miami, Mary Ann met her future husband, Rich. They married while he was serving in the Navy during World War II and celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary in 2014. Rich preceded her in death on December 25, 2014. Mary Ann is survived by their four children; Rick(Nancy)Johnson of Portage, Michigan, Craig(Pat)Johnson of Carrolton, Texas, Bruce Johnson of Ithaca, New York and Laurel(Dan)Heffner of Kettering, Ohio. Rich and Mary Ann have six grandchildren; Joseph "Rich" Johnson of Michigan, Lisa Osiecki of Michigan, Nicole Holliman of Texas, Brent Johnson of Texas, Mira Anderson of Illinois and Samuel Johnson of New York. Rich and Mary Ann also have thirteen great-grandchildren. Mary Ann was blessed with a keen mind, a strong work ethic and held strong convictions. She instilled core values in her children and encouraged them to follow their own paths. She expressed pride in all of them. After raising her family, Mary Ann obtained a Master’s Degree in economics in 1976 and worked for several governmental and non-profit organizations. She also taught economics for five years at Sinclair Community College. While working with Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission, Mary Ann became interested in the Aviation Trail project, which resulted in many years of involvement with that group and the redevelopment of the West Side Neighborhood where the Wright Brothers lived. She located the Wright Brothers Bicycle Shop which is now part of the National Park. Mary Ann was a recognized authority on local aviation history, was a founder of Aviation Trail, Inc., instrumental in the development of the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historic Park and the author of two books on local aviation history, "A Field Guide to Flight, on the Aviation Trail in Dayton, Ohio"(1986 and 1996) and "McCook Field, the Force behind America's Golden Age of Flight"(2002). Mary Ann received the 2008 Trailblazer Award from Aviation Trail, Inc. recognizing her as an aviation historian who supported aviation-related projects in the Dayton-Miami Valley area for the past 25 years. She was also recognized as a founding member of Aviation Trail, Inc. Mary Ann served as a Trustee from 1981 to 2014 and became a Trustee Emeritus on November 12, 2014. Funeral service will be held 12:00 noon Tuesday, January 27, 2015 at TOBIAS FUNERAL HOME-Far Hills Chapel. Burial will follow Woodland Cemetery. Family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Condolences may be made to www.tobiasfuneralhome.com