Doyle Johnson

Doyle Johnson was born on Jan. 13, 1931, on the family farm near Loup City, Nebraska. In 1948, he graduated from high school in Litchfield, Neb.
He enlisted in the Navy in 1951 and served in the Air Transport Squadron, Naval Air Station, Alameda, Calif., and Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii. He was discharged in 1955.
He worked for the Burlington Northern Railroad and retired after 44 years in the bridge and building division.
In 1958, he married Lyla Kelley in Sumner, Neb. After residing in Alliance, Neb., they moved to Custer, S.D., in 1960 where they lived until their deaths.
His Christian faith was very important to him. Doyle and Lyla helped establish the Berean Fundamental Church in Custer and attended there for many years. He served in various capacities of church leadership and especially enjoyed teaching adult Sunday School classes.
Later in life, he was a member of Crossroads Evangelical Church in Custer. He was a member of Gideons International and helped distribute Bibles and New Testaments in the surrounding community. He formed many meaningful and lasting friendships with the members of this organization and his church.
Doyle loved the outdoors and felt the Black Hills were as close to paradise as you could get. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and gathering firewood. He was also a loyal and passionate fan of the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Many family members and friends enjoyed his delicious pancakes and waffles and frequently requested that he make his special homemade ice cream.
Doyle passed away Monday, Dec. 18, 2023, at his home surrounded by family. He was 92.
He was preceded in death by his wife Lyla; son, David Mello; brother, Harold Johnson, and sisters, Velma Nolan and Helen Eberle.
Doyle is survived by his daughters, Melody Hoffman, Connie (Mark) Caporin and Teresa (Keith) Schoeneman; seven granddaughters: Ashley, Brittany, Lauren, Amanda, Lindsey, Rachel and Anna; three bonus grandchildren, Nick, Rachel and Hope; and he was also blessed with six great grandchildren.
Visitation will be Dec. 29 5-7 p.m. at Chamberlain McColley’s Funeral Home in Custer, S.D.
Celebration of Life will follow Dec. 30 at 10 a.m at Crossroads Evangelical Free Church in Custer.
Suggested memorials are to the Gideons International or Special Olympics Nebraska, 9427 F St, Omaha, NE 68127 memo “Doyle Johnson - Alliance team.”
Arrangements have been placed in the care of Chamberlain McColley’s Funeral Home in Custer.