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Funeral: 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home
Visitation: 5 until 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 31, at the funeral home, and from 10 until 11 a.m. on Wednesday morning
Interment: Elmwood Cemetery
Dana L. Johnson, 72, of Rinard, Illinois, passed away Wednesday, March 25, 2026, in Lafayette, Louisiana.
Dana was born October 20, 1953 in Fairfield, Illinois to Lee Maitland and Betty Mae Flexter. She grew up outside of Rinard and later moved to Flora. Dana started dating William Johnson in 1977, married in 1982, and welcomed their beautiful baby girl Amanda in 1990. They were together for 49 years and married for 44.
Dana went to school for cosmetology and started working at My Fair Lady in 1972 and worked there until 1990. She worked doing hair for local nursing homes after her daughter was born for a few years before opening up her own salon until she retired in 2008.
Dana was known for her kindness, service and good food. She was the life of the party, never taking herself too seriously. Dana showed compassion and love to all friends, family and strangers alike. Dana was passionate about tending her garden, cooking food for the family, traveling, and spending time on the lake.
Dana is survived by her siblings George (Kim) Flexter, Terri (Ken) Lence, her husband William Johnson, daughter Amanda (Brian) Harper, stepson Craig Johnson, grandchildren Kayla Johnson, Keagan Johnson, Caelen Harper, Delia Harper, Elowyn Harper, and great-grandchildren Brandon Romo and Ayanna Johnson.
She was preceded in death by her parents Lee Maitland and Betty Flexter; siblings Matt, Mike, and Donnie Flexter.
A funeral ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora. Interment will follow in Elmwood Cemetery. A visitation will be held from 5 until 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 31, at the funeral home, and from 10 until 11 a.m. on Wednesday morning.
In lieu of flowers or other gifts the family asks for memorial donations to the Flora Academic Foundation in honor of Dana’s love of children and servitude to others. These will be received at Frank & Bright Funeral Home, 500 North Main Street, Flora, IL 62839.
To share a condolence or memory, visit: www.frankandbright.com
Feb 3, 1955 - Jul 11, 2026
Dec 11, 1968 - Jul 7, 2026
Apr 4, 1944 - Jul 2, 2026
Sep 1, 1946 - Jun 27, 2026
Mar 21, 1943 - Dec 29, 2025
A wonderful sister-in-law who was generous, kind, forgiving and caring. All who knew her loved her. Dana will be missed by so very many.
To Dana’s family, so sorry for your loss. Dana was so special and will certainly be missed. Our sympathy to you all.
I'm so heartbroken and sorry for your family's loss.
Dana was a sweet person & a joy to know!
Dana was always a shining and welcoming presence. Will be sadly missed.
There are no words to express my sorrow at Dana's passing. She was a massive life force in a small container. Her mischievious laughter will definitely be missed. May she walk in peace and joy.
Willie and family..sending my condolences to you for the loss of Dana...so very sorry.
I am heartbroken for you Willie, Amanda and Craig. Dana was so happy and always smiling…such a fun person! She will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved her. Please know that y’all are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult and sad time. RIP Dana❣️
Our deepest condolences to Willie and Amanda and family for your loss. We will always cherish the fun times we had boating with you throughout the years. Today and always, may loving memories bring you strength, comfort and peace.
48 years was just not long enough Dana Thanks for all the great times
Willie, I want to extend my deepest condolences at this time of loss. Prayers of comfort for you.
I am so sad to hear that Dana has passed! Her smiling face will be missed!!! Praying for you and Amanda!
Grew up around, rode the bus, and went to school with Dana and siblings. Dana was always smiling and nice. Prayers for Willie, their kids, and family.
Willie and family, we are having trouble realizing Dana is gone. Sorry doesn't seem enough to say. May time and your many memories help you though these difficult days and months to come.
Dana was my first friend. We met on the school bus when we were going to first grade and she has been my dearest friend ever since. Dana's friendship and the memories we shared will always be a part of me. Love you Dana Lea. I will miss you.
Dana, we will never forget you. We were so fortunate to call you friend , and we sure had some great times over the years . Oh the memories we have . Thank you for sharing your life with us . Rest In Peace ,Les and Stacy
My sweet cousin I miss u Love Paul and Judy Lackey Denny and Becky Johnson and family Love u Aunt Dana Shane Neff Randa Neff Hill Christopher Neff
I offer my sincere condolences, and prayers to the entire family for their loss of their dear loved one at this time. May your time of grief be short.
Very sorry to hear this and very sorry for your loss. Peace and comfort for the family.
Willie, Mandy, Terri, Ken and all the families, we are so sorry at that loss of Dana. She was a ray of sunshine. She always had a smile and a wonderful laugh. We are sending our sympathy, thoughts, prayers, hugs and love to all of you. May God be with you all.❤️
I really am at a loss for words. The first thing that comes to mind is a sad heart followed by a grateful heart. WE are so very grateful that our paths crossed. Each and EVERY time we managed to get together there was so much fun. We will always wish there was more. Willie, we will stay in touch!! Amanda, you have big shoes to fill. You said your Mom taught you well. You will be perfect in filling those shoes. I am so sorry that you are having to say goodbye bye to your precious Mom. 😘. RIP sweet fun Dana!!! If there is shrimp in heaven I hope they are as good as those you enjoyed in La. You are going to be so missed!!! Jan and Phil Tobey
mrs dana , was one of the sweetest lady i’ve ever know. she was an excellent cook and i enjoyed the fun times we had over the years! always had a smile on her face and treated me & my family like we were her own family she will be dearly missed. my condolences go out to willie and amanda and the entire family…
Nothing I can say will take away the hurt you are experiencing Sending prayers to you and your family 🙏
When I think of you, I see your smile and hear your laugh and remember the days of working next door to My Fair Lady. I would get you girls Diet Cherry Cokes on the afternoon DQ run. Fun days! To Willie and your family. I know her loss will leave a big hole and much hurt for a long time. You were all the light and loves of her life. Grieve her because she is very much worth missing and remember her love, laughter and happiness always until you are all reunited.
Sending so much love in your time of loss. Prayers to you and your family.
Willie, Amanda, Craig and grandbabies, I’m so sorry I am just heart shattered by your loss. I’ve known Dana all of my life and I will never forget that wonderful smile and her very infectious laugh! She was one of the most kindest people. I feel so blessed to have known her!
We had some great laughs together over the years. Rest in Peace Dana 🕊️
Praying for you and your family.
I am so sorry for the loss of Mrs Dana. I never knew her without a smile and full of kindness. Prayers for you and the family.
Willie so sorry for your loss of your lifelong companion. Prayers for you and your family
I'm so deeply sorry to see this. I feel I've known Dana my whole life, George's big sister, is probably what I called her more than her name. Then there was My Fair Lady..a girl could get an education going there to get her hair done!! 😊, some of the best women I've met in my life worked there .. Willie and family, George and Terri, and your families, you are all in my thoughts... sending love, hugs and prayers
My condolences to the family. She was to a great CCHS classmate. RIP
Dana was the perfect combination of sweet and salty. We loved her and will miss her very much. Willie you and your family are in our hearts and prayers.
Willie and all your family, we are crushed with sadness at the loss of Dana. We have a lifetime of memories together, so much so that you are all family to us, not just friends. Dana always had a smile on her face, always made everyone feel special, and never met a stranger. She loved everyone of you with her whole heart. Somehow if you can, find comfort in your memories. We love you all. Bob and Jana
Terri and Family We are So Sorry for your Loss
Willie so sorry to hear this and we send our condolences to you and the family. Sure, had a lot of good memories and if the walls could talk the stories that would come from My Fair Lady.
Sorry to learn of this. Dana was a nice, fun lady. My sympathy to the family.
Prayers for family in you loss of a beautiful lady. We were CCHS graduates, Class of 1971. Upon graduation we were classmates in OCC'S first class of Cosmetology, graduating in1972. Fly high Dana.
I am so incredibly sorry for your loss. Sending you love, strength and my deepest condolences.
Dana was such a joy, am so very sad for you, Willie and family. Hopefully cherished memories will in time replace your sadness.
Dana touched so many lives in the very best way. I am grateful to have cherished so many memories with her and our classmates and will remember her always as a good friend. Love you Dana!!
Our house was always full of noise, smoke, and grown-up talk, but Dana was the one who saw the kid in the corner. While everyone else was busy being important, she sat on the floor, picked up a crayon, and raced toy cars with me like it was the only thing in the world that mattered. For a kid starved for a bit of light, she was the whole sun. She didn't have to give me that time, but she did. She and Willie were regulars, but Dana was the one who made sure I knew I existed. She was a rare, tough, beautiful soul in a world that usually isn’t. Now the track is clear and the crayons are broken, but those afternoons stay right here. Sleep well, Dana. You were one of the good ones, and you earned the rest. - Doc
The CCHS class of 1971 gained another Bright Star in Heaven. Our friendship as classmates for 4yrs seems very short. But I gained a friend for life. Memories of Dana , her wit her smile, will live on. Condolences to you Willie and your family.
So sorry for your loss.
So very sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers 🙏🏻 for family and friends. Dana will be missed.
Frank & Bright Funeral Home
and Cremation Services
500 North Main Street
Flora, Illinois 62839
Phone : (618) 662-2141
Fax: (618) 662-4600
Email: [email protected]
