Emily R. Johnson, 77, of Portage, formerly of Chesterton passed away Monday, December 11, 2023. She was born August 1, 1946, in Valparaiso to Martin & Clara (Fuller) Schmidt and graduated from Valparaiso High School in 1965. Emily enjoyed cooking and was known for her “fruit fluff” which was so simple it became legendary. Her hearing challenges in later years caused her to swing her head while blaring out “Huh?” to any comment she was unable to discern much to the dismay of her son. And yet her old school style of hollering “don’t you dare or I’ll smack your face” has become a badge of honor for those who were on the receiving end of her follow-through.
On April 22, 1975, in Shawneetown, Illinois she married Charles A. Johnson, Jr. who preceded her in death on June 20, 2008. Survivors include their sons; Charles E. (Cecelia) Johnson of Riverside, California & David (Leslie) Johnson of Portage, Indiana, brothers; Edward E. Schmidt & Frederick “John” (Consuela) Schmidt, grandchildren; Cheyenne, Madison (Richard) & Cameron Johnson, and great-grandchildren: Abigail, Belle, Carter, Wyatt, and coming soon, Layne. She was also preceded in death by her parents and a sister-in-law, Linda (Eugene) Kroenke.
A visitation will be held Friday from 11 am – 1 pm at Moeller Funeral Home, Valparaiso with funeral service beginning at 1:00 pm and burial to follow at Angelcrest Cemetery.
