SGM Robert L. Johnson, Ret., 74, of Breese, died Wednesday, April 22, 2009 at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Belleville. 

Mr. Johnson was born November 2, 1934 in Breese to Arthur and Viola (Abel) Johnson; they preceded him in death. 

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a sisters, Patricia Stallings and Jane Feldmann; father-in-law and mother-in-law, William and Ola (Cooley) Biggs; brothers-in-law, Wayne Biggs, Clarence Biggs, Stan Feldmann, and Henry Schulte; and sisters-in-law, Mickey Schulte and Mary Biggs. 

He married Audrey Biggs on November 24, 1960 at St. Mary Catholic Church in Carlyle; she survives in Breese. 

Also surviving is a son Donald (Mara) Johnson of Charlottesville, VA; granddaughters, Katherina Susan Johnson and Patricha Lynn Johnson; a brother, Arthur (Margaret) Johnson of Orlando, FL; sisters, Elizabeth (Ronald) Osborn of Port Washington, Wisconsin and Alice (Steve) Hellmann of Aviston; and brothers-in-law and sisters in law, Larry Biggs of Carlyle, James (Leola) Biggs of Rockford, Harold (Betty) Biggs of Centralia, and Charles Biggs of Centralia. 

Robert served in the Artillery division with the United States Army from 1954-1981 where he earned the rank of SGM.   

He was a member of St. Dominic Catholic Church in Breese, Breese American Legion Post 252 where he was a Past Commander, Carlyle VFW Post 3523, Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 0269, and American Legion Past Commanders. 

A memorial mass will be Monday, April 27, 2009 at 10:00 AM at St. Dominic Catholic Church in Breese with Fr. Patrick Peter officiating.  Interment of cremains will be in St. Dominic Cemetery, Breese. 

Visitation will be Sunday, April 26, 2009 from 5:00 to 8:00 PM and again on Monday, April 27, 2009 from 8:00 to 9:45 AM at the Moss Funeral Home in Breese. 

The Breese American Legion will hold services at 7:00 PM Sunday evening at the funeral home.  

Memorials can be made to American Legion Post 252 or Clinton Manor Living Center and will be received at the funeral home.