Elva Lois Johnson

Elva Lois Johnson, 85, of Lewisburg, died Tuesday, February 1, 2022 at Evangelical Community Hospital, Lewisburg.

Elva was born October 3, 1936 in Sugarloaf, a daughter of the late Willis Raymond and Edna Elvina (Roth) Knelly.  On June 3, 1958 she married James Johnson, who survives.  Together they celebrated 63 years of marriage.

After graduating from the Black Creek Twp. High School in Rock Glen, she earned her RN from the Hazleton State Hospital School of Nursing. She worked three years at the Berwick Hospital. After marriage, she moved to Lancaster and worked at St. Joseph’s Hospital until Jim graduated from The Lancaster Theological Seminary.

They then moved to Dushore in Sullivan County from 1961 to 1970, where Rev. Johnson served three rural churches. Without a nearby hospital, Elva was happy to provide free nurse-care to people as needed. While here, their children, Dawn Lois and Eric James were born.

They moved to Lewisburg in 1970, when Jim became pastor of St. John’s United Church of Christ. Elva focused her attention on raising the children and did work a short time in a local doctor’s office. She enjoyed singing in the church choir and helping in the dining room at social events. She and Jim delivered Meals on Wheels and Elva also worked at the Evangelical Hospital bake sales.

In 1980 some church members asked the Johnsons to plan a trip to the Oberammergau Passion Play. This was enjoyed so much that they began to plan other tours during their summer vacations. They have welcomed people to their tour groups from 13 states and Canada, and have traveled to 70 countries.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by a daughter, Dawn and her husband, Dr. Donald Diverio, and their three children, Danika, Delanie and Darren; a son, Eric and his wife, Jennifer Lightcap Johnson, and their twins, Katie and Evan.

She was predeceased by three siblings: Willis Jr, Paul R. and Anetta Schneider.

A celebration of her life will be held at a later date.

The family suggests donations in her memory may be made to LEAF (Local Emergency Assistance Fund) at St. John’s United Church of Christ, 1050 Buffalo Road, Lewisburg, PA 17837; or for Parkinson’s Research to Michael J. Fox Foundation online at www.michaeljfox.org/donate or mailed to Donation Processing , The Michael J. Fox Foundation ,P.O. Box 5014 Hagerstown, MD 21741-5014.

The family is being assisted by Cronrath-Grenoble Funeral Home, South Second and St. Louis Streets, Lewisburg.