Graveside Services for Dale J. Johnson, Age 92 of Alton, Missouri will be held Wednesday, May 13th, 2026 in The Hickory Grove Cemetery, Alton, Missouri beginning at 11:00 AM. Visitation will take place on Tuesday, May 12th, 2026 at The Clary Funeral Home, Alton, Missouri from 6:00- 8:00 PM.
Dale J. Johnson, Alton, Missouri, passed away May 7, 2026, at the age of 92.
It was big news in the Many Springs community on September 8, 1933, when a set of twins were born to Oba and Elva (Taylor) Johnson in a log cabin on a farm that was homesteaded by the Johnson family.
Dale spent his first fifteen years living in that log cabin. He attended Many Springs School through the 8th grade and graduated from Alton High School with the Class of 1951. On November 24, 1951, Dale married the love of his life, Jane Carolyn Whitten, and to this union, two sons were born. They were married for 69 years until Carolyn’s passing in 2020. After high school, Carolyn, Dale and his twin sister, Dessie, moved to Kansas City to work. Dale and Carolyn then went to St. Louis. He was drafted into the Army in 1953. But he always longed to return to the farm in Oregon County, which they did, after Dale finished his service to his country. Upon returning to Alton, he first worked at Armour Creameries and then for the Production Credit Association. He went on to get his real estate broker’s license and opened Johnson Land and Cattle company. He also enjoyed being involved in politics, once served on the Silver Haired Legislature and was a volunteer member of board of directors of the Southwest Missouri Office on Aging for many years. He was a lifetime farmer and a lifelong Democrat.
Dale’s greatest joy was spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Holidays were always special to Dale and Carolyn, especially during deer season, when families would gather at the Many Springs farm. Dale and his twin sister, Dessie, would travel to spend every birthday together until her passing in 2007.
Dale is survived by his two sons, Ricky Johnson and wife, Charlotte, Alton, MO, and Dennis Johnson and wife, Toni, West Plains, MO. Four grandchildren, Jessie Johnson- Casperson (Steve), Centerville, VA, Jackie Clay (Chris), Alton, MO, Colton Godsy, Springfield, MO, Mathew Godsy (Rosie), Fremont, MO. His great-grandchildren include Connor Clay, Cameron Clay, and Emma Claire Bennett. And nephew, Bruce Vogel (Lisa), Higginsville, MO.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Carolyn, his parents, twin sister Dessie Vogel and her husband Raymond “Speedy” Vogel.
