Gerald "Jerry" E. Johnson 86 passed away at Indiana University Health Ball Memorial Hospital on January 17, 2025. Jerry was born on October 11, 1938, to the late William R. and Hazel Keeley Johnson.
Growing up he had a passion for taking things apart and fixing them. His father once had him take a car apart and then told him to put it back together, giving him his first introduction to car repair. Jerry worked on several farms and in several gas stations where he honed his skills.
He then joined the US Army where he was a mechanic. Upon his return, he worked at Delco Remy and Westinghouse until becoming the owner of Jerry's Shell station, later to become Meadows Marathon. At one time he owned 5 Marathon stations in Muncie, Bypass Marathon, 12th and Hoyt Marathon, University Marathon, Wheeling Marathon and Meadows Marathon. Jerry was also an Albany Town Marshall and a reserve police officer for the Delaware County Sheriffs Department for many years. Jerry retired in 1992 and became the head babysitter and taxi driver for his grandchildren, a job he dearly loved.
While working on a farm, Jerry met the love of his life, Shirley Darnell, and they were married on December 1st, 1958. Jerry and Shirley were married until she passed in 2006. Jerry enjoyed cars, camping and playing the guitar.
Jerry is survived by his two children, Angela Johnson and Teresa Walker (Derek) and his Goddaughter, Kelly Dishman (David). His grandchildren Sienna Frye, Dakota Stewart, Aubrey Grim, Jessica McDonald, Payton Walker, Kendall McDonald, Ashlee Phelps, Jade Lipscomb, Hope DeLong, Amber Dishman, Anne Suchyna, Jeremy Dishman and 22 great grandchildren; a brother, Danny Johnson and sister Janet Guerra (Ed), along with several nieces and nephews.
Jerry was preceded in death by his wife, his parents, his brother Russell, and sisters Wilma Slagle and Barbara Ostrander.
Visitation will be held on Monday, January 27,2025 from 10:00am – 12:00pm at Garden View Funeral Home, 10501 N. State Road 3, Muncie, Indiana. Funeral service will be held at 12:00pm with Pastor John Foster officiating. Burial will be at Gardens of Memory Cemetery, Muncie, Indiana. In leu of flowers make donations to Wounded Warriors Project, St. Jude Children's Hospital or  Delaware County Humane Society.