Charles Bertram "Bert" Johnson
May 20, 1932 ~ February 28, 2015
Charles Bertram “Bert” Johnson, 82, of Leonardtown, MD, passed away peacefully on February 28, 2015, in his home surrounded by his loving family.
He was born on May 20, 1932, in Medley’s Neck, to James Ernest and Mary Rosalie Cooper Johnson. He loved to tell stories about working with his father and brothers to cut and stack firewood for Our Lady’s Church and ringing the church bell.
Bert married the love of his life, Mary Ellen Stone, on August 18, 1951. They enjoyed 63 wonderful years of marriage.
He was very proud of his service in the U.S. Air Force which took him to Korea at the end of that war. The grandchildren have always been quick to point out the coincidence or lack thereof in the timing in his arrival in Korea and the end of hostilities. Bert and Mary Ellen lived in both Amarillo, TX and Edwards AFB in CA. After his discharge in 1956, Mary Ellen and he returned to St. Mary’s County where he worked for a time as a mechanic at Bell Motor Company and eventually as a civil servant on Naval Air Station Patuxent River. He also worked part time at St. Mary’s Pharmacy in Leonardtown. He had many funny stories about the colorful personalities that he worked with in all those locations. He retired from the Civil Service in 1973.
He enjoyed playing cards and camping with the family. They had a series of campers and camped around the region, finally settling on a permanent site, at Monroe Bay Camp Ground across the river in Colonial Beach, Virginia, where they spent many summers.
He also loved woodworking, gardening, working around the house and maintaining his lawn, which was always nearly perfectly manicured and mowed at least twice a week. The neighbors reportedly felt that his lawn was so clean that it likely didn’t have any dirt.
Most of all he loved and enjoyed his family. He is survived by his wife: Mary Ellen and three loving daughters: Beverly and Joe Jackson, Priscilla Cathcart, and Mary and Chris Grable. He is also survived by his son-in-law, Mike Koehler. He had nine grandchildren: Jonathan Jackson, Sherry Jackson (Eric) Baker, Charles (Bethany) Cathcart III, Shawn (Angel) Cathcart, Scott Cathcart, Chris (Jennifer) Grable II, L. Dennis (Stephanie) Grable II, Jeff (Kate) Koehler and Julie (Glenn) Grimes. He is also survived by 6 great-grandchildren: Sadie Grable, Sophie Grable, Chase Grable, Addyson Cathcart, Caroline Koehler and Darren Grimes. He is also survived by his loving sister, Margaret Wheeler.
He was preceded in death by his loving and devoted daughter, Darlene Koehler; and precious great-granddaughter Delaney Koehler. He was also preceded in death by his brothers and sisters: Ernest Johnson, Sissy Stone Adams, Melvin Johnson, Cotton Johnson, Lillian Johnson, Sonny Johnson, Henrietta Bean, Elsie Stone, Mary Hayden, Freddie Johnson, and Dickie Johnson.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday, March 4, 2015, from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM with prayers recited at 7:00 PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, Leonardtown, MD. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, March 5, 2015 at 10:00 AM in St. Aloysius Catholic Church, Leonardtown, MD, with Father David Beaubien officiating. Interment will follow in the Charles Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers are Jonathan Jackson, Charles Cathcart III, Shawn Cathcart, Scott Cathcart, Jeff Koehler, Chris Grable II, and Dennis Grable II.
Donations may be made to Hospice of St. Mary’s, P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, MD 20650 or St. Aloysius Church, P.O. Box 310, Leonardtown, MD 20650.
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
“So very sorry for your loss, MaryEllen. I know he will be missed by you , the girls and your grandchildren. May he rest in God’s peace.”
“Please know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers at this most difficult time. May you find comfort in your cherished memories.”
“Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time. “
“Sending prayers to you all. Sincerely,”
“Priscilla and family, please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you. “
“We are so sorry for your loss. Bert will surely be missed, and we were honored to be part of his life.”
“To Mrs. Johnson, Beverly, Priscilla, Mary, and Family, please accept our sincere condolences. We know how special and dear he was to all of you, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. We’re assured, through God’s promise, that he is now enjoying his reward in Heaven, with Darlene, and all of his loved ones. God bless all of you.”
“So sorry, Mary Ellen & family. You have been good neighbors for some 51 years now. Hard to believe it’s been that long. You were the groundbreakers here at Breton Bay. Sure has changed a lot. We all lose a little with Bert’s passing.”
“Bev, I knew this was imminent but I am still shocked. So sad, but certainly we know he is now at peace. I grieve with you and offer my prayers to you and your entire family.”
“Over the past two days, I have said many times what a true gentleman Bert was. He was one of the most humble and kindest people I have ever known. He would always say something to make you feel good about yourself or your family. I always looked forward to seeing Bert and Mary Ellen. He will be very missed. “
“An echo of Bill Watts and Charlie Breck. Mr. Bert was a pure pleasure. I am happy to call him my friend for over 50 years.Love to all of you.”
“He will be missed by all of us here, but Darlene will welcome him. His obituary perfectly described the wonderful man he was.”
“Mary Ellen and family, so sorry to learn of Bert’s passing. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.”
“Mary and Chris. Please pass this on to the rest of the family and Mary Ellen. Words cannot express our sorrow over your loss. We will never forget his smile and know without a doubt of his great love for his family and god. He set a good example for everyone else.”
“Aunt Mary,Beverly,Priscilla,Mary. I am so sad to hear of Uncle Bert’s passing. HHe was truly a very nice person and a soft spoken man.He was an excellent Husband, Father, and Grandfather. I’m sure Darlene met him with open arms. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. With love and sympathy.”
“Sorry to hear the loss of Uncle Bert. Our prayers and thoughts are with the Family. He will be missed.”
“Aunt Mary Ellen, Beverly, Pricilla, Mary, I have such wonderful memories from the many times I spent at your house when I was a child. Uncle Bert was always fun to be around and I am sure it wasn’t always easy with Another girl in the house. So glad we were recently able to reminisce about some of those times. It was also enjoyable listening to Uncle Bert and Mom telling stories about their childhood. Uncle Bert will be missed. “
“”Mrs. Johnson and family, you are all in our thoughts and prayers. We are here if you need anything Mrs. Johnson.””
“Mary Ellen, Beverly, Priscilla, Mary and Family, Sorry for your loss. Keep all the great memories close to your heart that have been made thru the years. Talking and laughing about the memories will help ease the pain. You all are in my prayers! RIP Bert.”
“I am sorry to learn of Mr. Johnson’s death. It is hard to lose people like him, a friend I have known for 50+ years. A man who was well respected by every kid in Breton Bay and beyond. He was a man of great integrity. We all grew up together and have shared our lives together and his death will leave a void in our community. I know he was delighted to see Darlene again, and all his brothers and sisters. Their gain is certainly our loss. I hope you all find some solace in knowing he is okay, he is enjoying the reward of a life well lived…and I am sure he will have the best lawn up there. God Bless you all in this sad time and I wish you all Peace. “
“To Chris and Mary and all the family, our sincerest sympathy. Be assured of our love, thoughts and prayers too. May you find comfort and strength and may he be greatly blessed for all his good works during his lifetime.”
“Mary, Beverly and family, So sorry for your loss. Words do not express enough. Keeping you and yours in prayers and thoughts. Patty”
“Sorry to hear of the passing of Uncle Bert. He was always such a fun person to talk with. Grandma(Lil)always told us stories about him and how much she thought of him and all her siblings. Rest in Peace Uncle Bert.”
“So sorry to the Johnson family he was a wonderfull man and to Aunt Margaret I know you loved your brother so and to Johnny Frankie Joanie and Timmy so sorry for the lose of your Uncle he will be truly missed by all whom were lucky enough to have known him.”
“So sad for the loss of Uncle Bert. Many fond memories and when I hear “Blue Berry Hill” I always think of him. My mom would call him on his Birthday and play it for him on her keyboard. My love, thoughts and prayers are with you all at this difficult time.”
“My thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this difficult and sorrowful time. “
“Uncle Bert was a joy. God bless all of you as you grieve and heal. With great love comes great sorrow. It will get better. What a heavenly reunion this will be!”
“Mary ELLEN & FAMILY. WE ARE SORRY FOR THE LOSS OF UNCLE BERT. HE WAS A GREAT PERSON. MAY HE REST IN PEACE.”
“Mrs. Johnson, Beverly and the Johnson family. What a true gentleman Mr. Johnson was. Kind and gentle and well-respected. His children and grandchildren are his beautiful legacy!”
“Bev, your Dad was a very special man who never knew a stranger and spread kindness wherever he went. We love you”
“Mary Ellen, Beverly, Priscilla, Mary and family I am truly sorry to hear about Bert’s passing. He was such a kind person and also had nice things to say. I know Mom and Pop enjoyed his visits. Keeping you all in my prayers.”
“Mrs. Johnson & family, we are so sorry to hear of your husband and fathers passing. Please know are thoughts and prayers are with you all at this sad time. God bless all of you.”
“Bev and Joe, Jill and I are so sorry to hear of your loss. Our prayers and love are with you.”
“Bev and Joe, I am so very sorry for your loss. My heart hurts for you. Pleae know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.-Kelly Hall”
“Mrs. Johnson, Beverly, Priscilla and Mary – We were saddened to learn of the passing of Mr. Johnson and are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers during this time.”
“Mary Ellen & family.very sorry to hear of Bert’s passing. He was a true gentleman. Will keep you in my prayers.”
“Mary Ellen and Family,I am sorry to hear about Bert but know he is in a better place, without pain. I always remember him giving me a hard time if the temperature we gave on the radio didn’t match what he had at the house. It was easy to enjoy Bert. Prayers to you and the family.”
“Aunt Mary Ellen, Priscilla, Beverly, Mary, and Family, Uncle Bert was a kind, wonderful man. he always had pleasant words to share. May your many good memories provide comfort. “
“Mrs. Johnson, Priscilla, Beverly, Mary and all of the family. We are so very sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. “
“Bev, Joe & family, we are thinking of you and send our deepest sympathies. May the Lord bless you and all those you love.”
“Mary Ellen & Family, So sorry to hear of your loss. You all have been great neighbors to us since moving to Breton Bay many years ago. Bert will be surely missed by all who knew him. God Bless. “
“Bev & Joe, I was saddened to hear about your Dad’s passing. Be assured that my thoughts & prayers are with you & your family. God bless”
“So sorry for your loss, you are all in our thoughts and prayers. “
“Thoughts and prayers to the Johnson family.”
It is hard to think of Bert as gone. He was a good brother to Dickie, and all his siblings.Until we all meet again on “Blueberry Hill” ….