Nils Johnson Jr

Reverend Nils Johnson, Jr., 78, of Kutztown, was called to his eternal home by his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Friday, September 26, 2008 in his Maxatawny Township residence. His wife of 29 years, Crystal A. (Leibensperger) Johnson was by his side.

Born in Baltimore, Maryland, he was a son of the late Nils, Sr., and Hazel (Caulk) Johnson. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Kutztown, where he was a past member of the church council and served as interim pastor. He was the Lutheran Campus Pastor for over 20 years at Kutztown University until his retirement in 1992. After his retirement Reverend Johnson worked as chaplain at Muhlenberg College, Allentown from 1993 to 1996. He continued in his retirement by doing pastoral supply work in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Reverend Johnson started as a pastor of Florence Congregational Church, Florence, OH in 1950, a position he held until 1958. During 1957 he served as a youth minister at Sylvania United Methodist Church, Toledo, OH. In 1959 he answered a dual-call, serving as pastor of Stettler Lutheran Church and associate pastor of Saint Jacob’s Lutheran Church, both of Miamisburg, OH. He served in Miamisburg until 1963.

From 1963 until he answered the call to campus ministry at Kutztown in 1972, he was Pastor of Epiphany Lutheran Church, Warren Township, NJ. Prior to his honorable service to our country in the United States Air Force during the Korean Conflict, he attended the University of Baltimore, Baltimore, Md. and Washington College, Chestertown, Md. for two years. During his service in the Air Force he attended the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM. In 1955 he graduated from University of Indiana, Bloomington, Ind. with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business and Economics. He then attended Anderson School of Theology, Anderson, Ind., attaining a degree in Theology. He also attended the Oberlin Graduate School of Theology, Oberlin, OH; and received a Master of Divinity degree from Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tenn., in 1958. Reverend Johnson served on the Board of Director’s of Campfire Girls; Board of Directors of Friend, Inc., Kutztown; Board of Directors Reading-Berks Habitat for Humanity. Pastor Johnson was extensively involved through the Northeast Pennsylvania Lutheran Synod, with establishing campus ministry programs at various colleges and universities in Northeastern Pennsylvania. He was also a member of Kutztown Yacht Club, Torch Club and Retired Faculties bi-weekly lunch group.

He is survived by his Wife, Crystal; Daughter, Marta K. (Johnson) wife of Kevin M. Smith, Alburtis, PA; Sons, Nils, III., husband of Diana (Olik) Johnson, Kutztown, L. Todd husband of Maria (Ciatto) Johnson, Norwell, Mass, Peter K. husband of Jennifer (Kraeger) Johnson, Fleetwood, Thomas N. husband of Joanne (Fasciana) Wolfe, Pasadena, Calif.; Sister, Mary (Johnson) McKeever, Fallston, Md. He was predeceased by a Son, Timothy M. Wolfe in 1993; and siblings, Marcel, Myrtle, George, Paul, Daniel, and Henry. In addition there are 6 Grandchildren, Tyler M. and Logan J. Smith, Claire I. Johnson, Samantha L. and Olivia N. Johnson, and Sofie L. Wolfe.

Memorial Services are Saturday, October 4, 2008, at 11:00 a.m. from Trinity Lutheran Church, 357 West Main Street, Kutztown. Inurnment in Hope Cemetery, Kutztown. Friends may call Friday, from 6:00 to 8:30 PM and Saturday, 10:00 to 11:00 AM, both calling periods in the church.

The family requests contributions be made to Lutheran Campus Ministries, 15174 Kutztown Road., Kutztown, 19530 or Reading_Berks Habitat for Humanity, 336 South 18 ^th Street, Reading, 19602. Arrangements are by the Ludwick Funeral Home, Kutztown, PA.