Margaret "Peggy" L. Johnson

Peggy was born on August 21, 1933, in Lakewood, Ohio. She was preceded in death by her parents Carl Arthur Neff, Mary Louise Hubbard Neff, stepmother, Maude Ingham Neff, and her sister, Betty Elizabeth Neff Belsan. She is survived by children, Natalie Wittmann, (Greg) Matthew Johnson (Lisa), Leslie Smith (Jeff), and Janine Miller-DeLany, (Jere) and grandchildren, Isaac Wittmann, Gabriel Wittmann, Brennen Miller, Cory Miller, Larissa Smith, and Matthew Smith.

She received her B.A. from Heidelberg College and her M.A. in Early and Middle Childhood Education from the Ohio State University. She was an elementary school teacher for 30 years with the Southwestern City Schools. Before her teaching career, she worked at Battelle Memorial Institute as a copywriter, and as a Christian Education Director at First Congregational Church in Boulder, Colorado.

Her greatest love was her family. She singlehandedly raised four children. She was happiest when everyone was together; she loved the annual extended family vacation to Salt Fork State Park and was a scrappy and formidable group solitaire player. She was committed to getting a great photo to commemorate the gathering. She also loved her flower garden, traveling, dreaming of traveling, buying just the right gift, going to WinterFair, and eating dinner out with friends and family. She was a host for international guests for many years for the State Department’s International Visitor’s Council and rarely hosted a holiday meal without the company of international students. She was a generous supporter of more than 30 charities and committed to supporting her political candidates.

Peggy was very dedicated to her church, First Community Church in Marble Cliff, Ohio and served on numerous boards and committees including the Governing Board and Foundation Board as well as many councils, esp. Mission Council. She was the recipient of the FCC Service Award which was very meaningful to her. In 1970 she participated in Rev. John and Adrienne Carr’s “Experiment in Practical Christianity” which she said, “changed my life.” She learned you don’t talk someone into Faith, you love them in to it.

She was also a very active Heidelberg University Alumni and received the Alumni Service Award in appreciation of her many contributions. Her 1955 classmates continue a decades long tradition of writing a round robin letter amongst the 20+ of them that is sent by US Mail and includes very newsy letters. Mom always loved when the huge manila folder of letters arrived, and she could read all the latest news from her “Berg” friends.

A Service to celebrate Peggy’s life will be held at First Community Church, South Campus, Burkhart Chapel on Monday, October 14th at 11am. Greeting time to follow service.