Letha M. Johnson, 83, a resident of Chillicothe, Mo., died Saturday, June 28, 2008 at her home.

Letha was born May 16, 1925 in Chula, Mo., the daughter of Henry E. and Theo (Brown) Ishmael. On Sept. 14, 1947 she married Arthur B. Johnson in Chillicothe, Mo. He preceded her in death Dec. 26, 1991.

Letha worked for Washington Steel, Washington, Iowa for over 10 years before moving back to Chillicothe in 1992. She worked for the Constitution-Tribune from 1994 until her retirement in 2004. Letha enjoyed making quilts, tending to her garden and flowers and keeping up on her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Survivors include two sons, Donald E. Johnson, Chillicothe, Mo., and Arthur Ray Johnson and wife Chris, Conesville, Iowa; daughter-in-law, Pauline Tolle, Chillicothe, Mo.; one brother, Kenneth Ishmael, Chillicothe, Mo.; eight grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; son, Clarence (Jr.) Tolle; brother, Rex E. Ishmael.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, July 1, 2008 at 3:30 p.m. at Lindley Funeral Home, Chillicothe, Mo. There is no scheduled family visitation. Friends may call on Tuesday, July 1, 2008 from 8 a.m. until service time at Lindley Funeral Home, Chillicothe, Mo. Memorial graveside services will be held at the Columbus Junction Cemetery, Columbus Junction, Iowa on Saturday, July 5, 2008 at 1 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Letha M. Johnson Memorial Fund and may be left at or mailed to Lindley Funeral Home, P.O. Box 47, Chillicothe, MO 64601.

Arrangements are under the direction of Lindley Funeral Home, Chillicothe, Mo.