[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 53 (Wednesday, March 27, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E357]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING RUTH WOLFE JOHNSON

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GREG PENCE

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 27, 2019

  Mr. PENCE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor my friend, Ruth 
Johnson, who recently passed away at the age of 86 in Columbus, 
Indiana.
   Born in Sullivan County, Ruth was the eighth child of Ora and Ann 
Wolfe. She attended Indiana State University and then went to work at 
Shell Oil Company. Ruth met--and later married--Dick Johnson, who had 
purchased a Shell distributorship in Columbus. Ruth and Dick worked 
together to grow the Johnson Oil Company.
   Ruth played an integral role in the Columbus community and 
throughout the State of Indiana. Ruth's extraordinary civic leadership 
included service through many social organizations including PEO, 
Harrison Lake Garden Club and the Monday literary club. Ruth actively 
supported Indiana University and served on the advisory boards for the 
School of Arts and Sciences and Jacobs School of Music.
   Ruth and Dick were part of a small group that cofounded Fairlawn 
Presbyterian Church in 1961. She and Dick donated property for the 
Salvation Army to build a support center, sponsored the Johnson Center 
for Entrepreneurship at I.U., the Johnson Distinguished Guest Artist 
series at the Columbus Philharmonic, and publication of ``The Birds of 
Indiana'' by Bill Zimmerman.
   The Pence family knew Ruth for many years and considered her a close 
friend. Ruth was a generous person who will be remembered fondly and 
greatly missed.
   Ruth is survived by her children, Jenny Johnson of Nashville, Rick 
Johnson (Alice) of Columbus; two grandchildren, Richard ``Ricky'' 
Loomis Johnson III and Ann ``Annie'' Elizabeth Johnson.
   May god rest her soul and bring comfort to her family and friends as 
we mourn her loss and celebrate her life here on earth.

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