Billy Lee "Pops" Johansmeier, 80, of Burlington, died Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023 at the Southeast Iowa Hospice House surrounded by his loving family.
Born, Sept. 9, 1943, in Burlington, he was the son of Elmer and Ella Scheihing Johansmeier. He graduated from Wapello High School. On Oct. 28, 1983, he married Darlene Brookhart in Burlington. She preceded him in death on May 7, 2022.
In his early years, Bill worked at HON Industries in Muscatine, and retired after 20 years. After retirement, he worked several years at the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant in Middletown.
Bill spent hours of enjoyment walking the West Burlington Mall, hospital pond, and local neighborhoods with his father, until his passing, then on his own.
Bill’s greatest joy, was spending time with his grandchildren. He was devoted to watching their sporting events, like baseball games, football games, and soccer. He loved when they visited from out of town and always had the best snacks waiting.
His love of animals is known by all. Over the years he has had too many dogs and cats to count but any stray that showed up suddenly found their fur-ever home.
Bill’s last few years were spent next to his devoted wife, Darlene, at the Aspire Nursing Home in Donnellson enjoying their time together until her passing.
He made many friends along his life journey but his family always gave him his greatest joy, all his smiles and laughs and all his love.
Bill is survived by one brother Ray Johansmeier and his wife Kristy Christen of Pass Christian, Miss.; six children Dana Dubyak (Jerry) of Murfreesboro, Tenn., Jay Johansmeier (Debbie) of St. Charles, Ill., Libby Goben (Scott) of Kahoka, Mo., Teresa Gartner (Chuck) of Auburn, Wash., Dennis Wayne Brookhart of Burlington, and Billy Brookhart (Shannon) of Maple Valley, Wash.; 14 grandchildren Derek and Sean Dubyak, Jake, Luke and Kyle Johansmeier, Christina Brooks, Jennifer Jackson, Shelby Goben, Roni Harkey, Scott Goben, Jr, Adrian Hill, Natalie Guest, Amiee Tucker, Clinton Brookhart; 27 Great Grandchildren; two sisters-in-law Betty Wheeler and Marilyn Warren; one brother-in-law Clifford Warren; lots of extended family, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, twin brothers Ronald and Donald Johansmeier in infancy, and sister-in-law Carolyn Wellborn.
Per his wishes, cremation has been accorded and entrusted to the care of Lunning Chapel.
The service for Mr. Johansmeier will be Saturday, September 30, 2023, at 11 a.m. at Lunning Chapel with Pastor Andrew Oldfield officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Inurnment will be in Wapello Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established for Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice and Des Moines County Humane Society.