Sandra Johnson

Sandra (Sandy) L. Johnson,
Sandra, affectionately known as “Sandy” to her family and friends, died unexpectedly at her home on Friday, January 27, 2023.

Sandy was born to Gail and Williard Carlson on December 18, 1940. She attended Rockford Public schools and graduated from East High School, class of 1958. She married her high school sweetheart, John Stinson in May 1959. He joined the US Navy, and they moved to San Diego, California. They returned to Rockford after John’s discharge from the Navy. They had two sons together, John Jr., and Scott. Sandy and John divorced in 1967. She later married John (Bob) Johnson in October 1971 and divorced in June 1979. Sandy worked for several years at National Lock until they closed. She then worked for Rockford Public Schools as an administrative assistant, and ultimately went on to work at Construction Welfare Benefits Fund, as a benefits administrator until her retirement. Sandy would wait to retire until she was 72. She wanted to stay busy. Her calendar was always full. She had many friends in the area. She was a Christian woman who attended local churches her entire life. Her most recent church was First Congregational Community Church in Roscoe. Sandy had a quick wit and a great sense of humor. She was as smart as a whip and an apprentice of many things. Her favorite pastime on earth was spending time with her family. She would end up raising three generations of children in her lifetime. She was tragically pre-deceased by her son John Jr., who left behind a 2 yr old son, Michael, who she would raise as her own. Later, Michael went on to have a daughter, Erika, and both she and Michael lived with Sandy until her death. Sandy is survived by her son Scott (Lisa) Stinson, her grandsons, Michael and Keegan Stinson; her granddaughters, Krystle (Stefan) Beal, Megan, and Kierra Stinson; her great-grandchildren Erika Stinson, and Kennedy and Carter Beal. Sandy was predeceased by her parents Willard and Gail Carlson, and her son, John Jr. Sandy lived life to the fullest and always said she had no regrets! She would tell us to throw a party and not sit around crying, that’s just who she was. She had a favorite saying she would recite to the grandkids, as her parents recited it to her as a child.

“When the evening sun is setting and your mind from cares are free, when of others you are thinking, will you sometimes think of me?!” - author unknown

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the family to be used to support local charities.

A memorial ceremony will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, February 9, 2023, at McCorkle Funeral Home - Rockton Chapel, 767 N. Blackhawk Blvd., Rockton, IL with Rev. Lisa Abb officiating. Cremation Rites were Accorded. A visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service, Thursday.

To view additional details about Sandra's Services, including any available live streams: https://my.gather.app/remember/sandra-johnson-2023