Coco Robert Eugene Johnson, 71, a lifelong Superior, Wis. area resident went to be with the Lord on Thurs., Feb. 24, 2011 in the St Mary's Medical Center, Duluth, Minn. He went peacefully with family and loved ones close by his side.

He was born Nov. 9, 1939 in Superior to Carl O. and Mabel L. (Gervais) Johnson. He graduated from Superior Central High School 1957 and attended UW-Superior. While working at Superior Memorial Hospital as a surgical tech he met his wife, the former Sandra Jean Belanger. They married Aug. 14, 1965 and celebrated 45 years of marriage.

He served his country in the U. S. Army during the Korean Conflict. He also was an insurance agent for Lutheran Brotherhood. He was hired on Apr. 29, 1974 and retired on Nov. 4, 1994 as a dispatcher for the City of Superior/Douglas County Communications Center.

Coco and his wife, Sandie, were co-owners of Coco's Island Eatery and Sandie's World on Barkers Island for many years.

He was an active member of Darrow Road Wesleyan Church. He was also a member of the Christ Victorious Prayer Warriors, the Tuesday Night Church Bible Study Group, and the AFSCME Union Local No. 235. He was a 4-H volunteer and also a volunteer at the Fieldview Nursing Home now known as the Golden Living Center as a Lay Preacher for 18 years.

He had been appointed by Gov. Knowles to serve on the Wisconsin Grain & Warehouse Commission and held the chairman position his last year.

He was a man of strong faith who loved his Lord with all his heart and served him joyfully.

He enjoyed gardening and especially loved the time spent with his beloved family and playing with his grandson and great-granddaughter.

Coco was preceded in death by his parents.

Coco is survived by his wife, Sandie; daughters, Mary (Mark) Moran and Carla (Karl) Moe; brothers, Allan (Stephen Read) Johnson of England, William (Terry) Johnson of Orangeville, Calif., sister, Judy (Larry) Todd of Caldwell, Idaho; a granddaughter, Ashley (Chris) Smith; a grandson, Brandon Moe; a great-grand-daughter, Sativa Smith; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Visitation will take place at Darrow Road Wesleyan Church, 4020 S. Darrow Rd., Thurs., Mar. 3rd from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and will resume in the Church on Fri. from 10:00 a.m. until the hour of service at 11:00 a.m. Rev. Mark A. Holmes will officiate. Committal prayers will be at Greenwood Cemetery followed by Military rites accorded by the Richard I. Bong American Legion Post No. 435.

Active pallbearers will be James Wickstrom, Jim McCusker, Casey Sevy, Dale Mertes, David Wicklund and Robert Manor. Honorary pallbearers will be Bill Sevy, Gary Belanger, Bob Jardine, Christopher Smith, Mark Moran, Jason Berggren, Larry Westerman, Jim Gotham and Brandon and Karl Moe.

Downs Funeral Home, corner of Ogden Ave. & 19th St., is assisting the family with arrangements.