Obituary of Ardyth Johnson

Ardyth Jean Johnson, 78, died Thursday, June 7, 2012 at Edgewater Haven Nursing Home, Town of Port Edwards. A memorial service will be at 12:00 PM on Wednesday, June 13, at Calvary Baptist Church, Wisconsin Rapids. Reverend Jonathan Jenks will officiate. Visitation will be from 11:00 AM until the time of services at the church on Wednesday. Ardyth was born May 10, 1934 in Loyal to the late Daniel and Dorothy (Stumpner) Anderson. After graduating high school, Ardyth moved to Chicago and began working for Western Electric which blazed the trail for her sister to follow her to Chicago to work. She also worked for Henry I Siegal, the maker of Chic jeans, doing office work. During her time in Chicago, Ardyth met Wayne Killebrew in the restaurant he worked and the two were married in 1957. The couple then moved to Tennessee and Ardyth got her pest control license and worked with Wayne for the family business, Killebrew Pest Control. Following Wayne?s death in 1997, Ardyth moved back to Wiscosnin Rapids the following year to stay. She was fortunate to remarry on October 19, 2002 in Wisconsin Rapids to Francis Johnson. Their years together were happy ones filled with travel across the country. Sadly, Adryth bid farewell to Francis on January 27, 2008. Many words can be used to describe Ardyth, but the best are loving, caring and hard working. She had a protective spirit and was a natural helper for all who were in need. While not working, Adryth was a very good cook, canned many vegetables and sewed all of her life, even making many of Cindy?s clothes as she grew up. She often remarked, ?Hard work never hurt you.? Ardyth is survived by her loving children, Randall (Jackie) Gregory of Medford and Cindy Killebrew of Nekoosa; siblings, Marlin (Shirley) Anderson of Nekoosa, Eileen (James) Kenney of Medford, Willard (Camille) Anderson of Wausau and Everett (Mary) Anderson of Rib Lake; brother-in-law, Lawrence Heller of Babcock; and many extended family and friends. She is preceded in death by her infant sister, Florence and sister, Carol Heller. Taylor, Vollert and Jennings Funeral Home is assisting the family.