Carl H. Johnson Jr.

Beloved Galena artist, Carl H. Johnson, Jr., died peacefully in his sleep on Wednesday, September 10, 2025. He was 94 years old.

Carl’s family will host a celebration to honor his life and his work from 3:00–7:00 on Sunday, November 2. Everyone is welcome.

 The Galena Elks Lodge, 123 N. Main Street, Galena, IL 61036. (815) 777-0011

Carl was born in Joliet, Illinois, on January 24, 1931, the eldest child of C. Howard and Gretchen (Schuessler) Johnson. He married Marilyn Pearson in Chicago on August 6, 1955. They had four children: Cathy (Gary) Evans, Carl III (Cheryl), Tisa (Billy) Lawless, and Adam (Cindy).

Growing up, Carl was greatly influenced by his aunt, Ruth Schuessler, a watercolor painter, wallpaper designer, and fine musician. He pursued art at the University of Illinois. His education was interrupted when he was drafted into the Army (serving for two years), after which he used the GI Bill to graduate with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in 1957.

Carl began his career as an apprentice in an Oak Park advertising firm, eventually rising to Art Director. When administrative duties removed him from creative work he formed his own studio in his home, then in Hinsdale, Illinois.

Always painting on location, watercolors claimed more of Carl’s creative time. He also loved the etching process and developed a vocabulary through acrylic paintings and banners that expressed his personal views.

In 1969 Carl and Marilyn traveled to Italy and Greece so he could see the Botticelli paintings and the Acropolis. He painted during the entire two weeks of their trip. Carl hosted an art show for friends and neighbors when they returned home. He received a great deal of support and encouragement, which led him to wonder what might happen if he painted full time.

One visit was all it took for the Johnsons to move to Galena in 1970. Carl quickly found his muse in the area’s scenic landscape, resulting in a series of watercolors and etchings inspired by its four seasons, its architecture, flowers, and rustic barns. After a brief time displaying his paintings in his home studio at 209 South High Street, Carl Johnson’s Gallery opened on Main Street in 1971. Over the next 50 years he and Marilyn were a team with Marilyn working as marketer and business manager and Carl painting five days a week. Carl loved people, always eager to talk and listen. Until he was well into his 90s he wrote monthly email “Blasts” to share news and stories with many.

Carl was asked to design and illustrate The Heritage of Dubuque. In 1977, using the local state historian’s research and Alfie Mueller’s photos, Carl wrote, illustrated, and

published a book on his adopted hometown: The Building of Galena—An Architectural Legacy.

The Johnsons purchased a total of ten Galena buildings, including three residences on High Street, Bench Street, and finally above their gallery on Main Street. Because of their love for history and architecture, they restored many of the buildings with the help of fine Galena craftsmen. Three generations from the Fox Construction family and Terry Cole’s Renaissance Restoration were involved in their projects, becoming close friends in the process.

Carl resumed travel to Europe through the University of Illinois School of Architecture’s study abroad program based in Versailles, France. He led two-week watercolor sketch trips in Italy, France, and Greece for over 15 years. His son, Adam—now a preservation architect in Galena—was among the students in his first class. After receiving his master’s degree in architecture from the U of I, Adam eventually moved back to Galena and contributed to the restoration of his parents’ buildings.

Carl and Marilyn were involved with city and county projects. While their specific interests and strengths were not usually the same, they supported each other and covered twice as much ground. In 1981, Marilyn co-founded the Galena Foundation, which works to raise funds for local historic preservation efforts. Over the years Carl used his artistic talents to support the Foundation as, among other projects, they repaired the Old City Cemetery and rebuilt three sets of public stairways. Both Johnsons served as Jo Daviess County Tourism representatives and advocated for the widening of The Great River Road and for Amtrak service from Chicago. They were honored separately for their work for the annual Boy Scout US Grant Pilgrimages, and they spent many years helping to save Turner Hall. In 2015, the Johnsons were given the Frank Einsweiler award by the Galena Foundation. In 2020, Carl and Marilyn were recognized by Landmarks Illinois with the Joe Antunovich Award for Leadership and a lifetime achievement award.

Carl served on Galena’s zoning and hospital boards and as chair of the Galena Historic Commission. He was voted Citizen of the Year by the Elks and later joined the organization. He served as president of the Galena Chamber of Commerce and was a co-founder of the Galena Art Fair and Galena Artist’s Guild. In 2022 Carl served as the first Grand Marshal for Galena’s Halloween Parade.

Carl’s graphic design talents have been featured in brochures, as logos and letterheads, on wine labels and flags, and on t-shirts, notecards, mousepads, calendars, maps, and Boy Scout patches and mugs.

In 1999, Carl and Marilyn bought and saved the Old Stockade building and began a yearly Flag Day celebration there. This celebration also honored a Galena High School senior with the Margaret Gardner Award scholarship, a donor-directed endowment through the Galena Foundation. The Old Stockade continues to house Carl’s 1850s etching press.

Carl was the first of three generations of Johnsons to act in Galena Art Theater productions on Turner Hall’s stage. He played a villain in one of the 1970s melodramas (with his own cape and waxed moustache!) and stole the show with his son Adam as the beggar and the rabbi’s son in Fiddler on the Roof.

In the early 2000s, the Johnsons purchased a lakeview condo in Chicago when Marilyn was asked to join the board of Landmarks Illinois. They continued to enjoy seasons at the Lyric Opera, another passion introduced to the couple by Carl’s Aunt Ruth when they were in college. Carl loved to paint in Chicago and amassed a body of work highlighting the city’s architecture.

Carl discovered another passion in his 40s—skiing. Chestnut Mountain was his destination every New Year’s Day, and he was a season pass holder into his 80s. Carving deep turns in graceful style, he shared the sport with his family, especially sons Carl III and Adam and daughter Tisa.

In later years, Carl and Marilyn bought a trailer, adding comfort to the family’s tenting tradition. They enjoyed travel to the Southwest and to the East and West coasts, with Carl painting masterpieces along the way.

Even when Carl’s health declined and he was no longer able to paint, he still delighted in conversation and playing pinochle with family. His stories were treasures. And he loved watching his favorite sports and shoot-em-ups while holding hands with Marilyn on the couch. Carl and Marilyn celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary on August 6, 2025.

Carl is survived by his wife Marilyn, his four children and their spouses, six grandchildren, and one great-grandson. He had a loving extended family including his younger siblings Lloyd, Gretchen, and Guy; Marilyn’s parents Edwin and Elizabeth Pearson; her sister Ginny; and many aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews from both sides.

Carl’s legacy remains with each of us through the joy he shared of landscapes, cityscapes, flowers, and even ball parks. Your interest in his work brought happiness to him and to each of us. Thank you for allowing him to pursue his dream.

Carl loved Galena and cared deeply about its preservation. Donations may be made to The Galena Foundation at PO Box 1, Galena, IL 61036 or online at https://galenafoundation.org/give