Obituary – Richard Johnson
Funeral Service for Richard “Rick” Johnson, 75, of Athelstan, Iowa formerly Blockton, Iowa was held Wednesday, July 29, 2026 at Cummings Family Funeral Home in Bedford, at 1:00 PM. Visitation was held Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at the funeral home, from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM. Burial was held at Athelstan Cemetery. Memorials may be directed towards the family to be established in Rick’s honor. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.cummingsfamilyfuneralhome.com
Richard “Rick” Carl Johnson was born on September 19, 1950 to Carl Russell and Helen Thelma (Wake) Johnson in Des Moines, Iowa and entered eternal rest on July 23, 2026 at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa surrounded by his family.
He was welcomed home and loved by his three sisters, Marvel, Sharon and Linda. He grew up in the country where he developed a love for the outdoors, hunting, fishing and trapping.
Rick attended country school until the fourth grade. He attended Blockton School through the 6th grade and Conway School for 7th and 8th grade. He attended Bedford Community Schools for his high school years.
On February 14, 1970, Rick was united in marriage to Alice Ann Williams in Athelstan, Iowa during a blizzard. To this union two children were born, Lucinda (Cindy) Lynn in 1975 and Clinton Russell in 1980. They lived most of their married life in Blockton and then retired to their current home in Athelstan.
In 1970, Rick was drafted into the US Army where he served at Fort Benning in Georgia until he was sent to Vietnam in July 1971. He was honorably discharged in February 1972.
Over the years, Rick had many hobbies which included raising and jumping mules, raising and breeding hunting dogs, being a backyard mechanic and building a pulling truck with his son. He always had words of advice for anyone, whether you wanted to hear it or not. To know him was to love him!!
Rick held many jobs over the years, but the one he enjoyed most was being a truck driver. He always said “I drove thousands and thousands of miles and never had an accident that was my fault”.
Rick had many titles over the years but the ones he was proudest of were dad, grandpa and papa.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Alice, of the home; his daughter Cindy (David) Maxson of Athelstan, IA, grandchildren; Dakota Johnson (Elizabeth and Daxtyn) of Maryville, MO, Colton (Rilee) Johnson (Layten, Taylee and Bodhi) of Grant City, MO, Cassie (Logan Stevens) Johnson of Creston, IA, Shane Maxson (Bryce, Cayden and Cheyanne) and Stuart Maxson of Wister, OK. sisters; Marvel Melvin, Sharon Groff and Linda Everhart (Walter Meier) all of Blockton, IA, brother-in-law; Paul (LeeAnn) Williams of Grove, OK, sisters-in-law; Jeanette Williams of Mt Ayr, IA and Gloria Williams of Siam, IA, along with many nieces, nephews, family and friends.
Rick was preceded in death by his parents, in-laws, Leona (Booher) Williams and George Williams; son, Clint; nephew, Brian Lawrence; brothers-in-law, Dale Williams, Harold Williams, James Lawrence, Doyle Lawrence, Ivan Groff and Joseph Everhart and sister-in-law, Judy Williams.
Rick was loved by many and will be missed greatly by everyone who’s lives he touched!!
