Bernard E. Johnson passed away in Albany, OR on February 14, 2023. Bernie was an avid history buff and never missed an opportunity to stop at a historical marker or tell you a nugget of historical trivia. He could be hysterically funny and was known by both friends and family to have a joke at the ready. He loved music and shared that love of music with his children.    He left Rockford in 1979 to fulfill his dream of living amongst the mountains and made a home in Wenatchee, WA, working for many years as an electrician and later in the finance and insurance business. He proudly served in the United States Navy after his graduation from Harlem High School in 1961, traveling the world and in his words, enjoying the best steak he ever had. In the last several years, he could be found in his garage, tinkering with the truck he rebuilt and so loved.  Bernie is survived by his sister Sher Johnson of Woodstock, daughters, Lynn MacLaren of Rockford and Erin Fisher of Roscoe, his son Michael (Ashleigh) Johnson of Albany, OR, and his three granddaughters, Kirsten, Peyton, and Paisley. Predeceased by his parents, Bill and Shirley Johnson, his brother Bob, and his sister Shelley.  A military honor memorial will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Rockton, Illinois on June 24, 2023 at 1:00 p.m.