John R. Johansson, age 68, of Gary passed away, Tuesday, November 10, 2015. He was a Gary resident his entire life. He was born Oct. 11, 1947, graduated from Lew Wallace High School in 1965 and received a BSCE degree from Purdue University Lafayette in 1970. He worked for Inland Steel Co. in the Engineering and Primary Production Depts. for 30 years, then spent seven years with Hoogovens Technical Services (Daniele Corus) and most recently eight years with CIM-Tech, Inc. In 1978, he entered a lifelong partnership with Tina L. Byers who preceded him in death in 2013.
Survivors include Julie C. (Bill) Peterson, whom has been like a daughter to him, granddaughters, Nicole C (Mike) Bilderback and Kelli Vanderplough, all of Hobart, cousins, Robert G. Carlson of Lawrence, KA, Claudette Lach of Portage, IN, Martha (Mike) Sizemore of Odenton, MD, Eva Haas of Woodbridge, VA, Sharon (Dan) Salain of South Haven, Judith Stanton of Michigan City, Linda Rust of Zionsville, IN, and Harry Lissollas of Rattvik, Sweden.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Lars A. and Ruth C. Johansson, and several aunts and uncles.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Michigan Avenue Methodist Church, in Hobart.
Funeral services will be on Friday, November 20, 2015 at 1 p.m. at Rees Funeral Home, 600 West Old Ridge Road Hobart. Burial will be at Ridgelawn Cemetery, Gary. Friends may call on Thursday, November 19, 2015 from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Rees Funeral Home, Hobart Chapel. Call (219) 942-2109 or online at www.Reesfuneralhomes.com.