Charles Bertram "Bert" Johnson, 82, of Leonardtown, MD passed away peacefully on February 28, 2015 in his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born on May 20, 1932 in Medley's Neck, to James Ernest and Mary Rosalie Cooper Johnson. He loved to tell stories about working with his father and brothers to cut and stack firewood for Our Lady's Church and ringing the church bell.

Bert married the love of his life, Mary Ellen Stone, on August 18, 1951. They enjoyed 63 wonderful years of marriage.

He was very proud of his service in the U.S. Air Force which took him to Korea at the end of that war. The grandchildren have always been quick to point out the coincidence or lack thereof in the timing in his arrival in Korea and the end of hostilities. Bert and Mary Ellen lived in both Amarillo, TX and Edwards AFB in CA. After his discharge in 1956, Mary Ellen and he returned to St. Mary's County where he worked for a time as a mechanic at Bell Motor Company and eventually as a civil servant on Naval Air Station Patuxent River. He also worked part time at St. Mary's Pharmacy in Leonardtown. He had many funny stories about the colorful personalities that he worked with in all those locations.

He retired from the Civil Service in 1973. He enjoyed playing cards and camping with the family. They had a series of campers and camped around the region, finally settling on a permanent site, at Monroe Bay Camp Ground across the river in Colonial Beach, Virginia, where they spent many summers. He also loved woodworking, gardening, working around the house and maintaining his lawn, which was always nearly perfectly manicured and mowed at least twice a week. The neighbors reportedly felt that his lawn was so clean that it likely didn't have any dirt. Most of all he loved and enjoyed his family.

He is survived by his wife: Mary Ellen and three loving daughters: Beverly and Joe Jackson, Priscilla Cathcart, and Mary and Chris Grable. He is also survived by his son-in-law, Mike Koehler. He had nine grandchildren: Jonathan Jackson, Sherry Jackson (Eric) Baker, Charles (Bethany) Cathcart III, Shawn (Angel) Cathcart, Scott Cathcart, Chris (Jennifer) Grable II, L. Dennis (Stephanie) Grable II, Jeff (Kate) Koehler and Julie (Glenn) Grimes. He is also survived by 6 great-grandchildren: Sadie Grable, Sophie Grable, Chase Grable, Addyson Cathcart, Caroline Koehler and Darren Grimes. He is also survived by his loving sister, Margaret Wheeler.

He was preceded in death by his loving and devoted daughter, Darlene Koehler; and precious great-granddaughter Delaney Koehler. He was also preceded in death by his brothers and sisters: Ernest Johnson, Sissy Stone Adams, Melvin Johnson, Cotton Johnson, Lillian Johnson, Sonny Johnson, Henrietta Bean, Elsie Stone, Mary Hayden, Freddie Johnson, and Dickie Johnson.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, March 4, 2015, from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM with prayers recited at 7:00 PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, Leonardtown, MD. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, March 5, 2015 at 10:00 AM in St. Aloysius Catholic Church, Leonardtown, MD, with Father David Beaubien officiating. Interment will follow in the Charles Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers are Jonathan Jackson, Charles Cathcart III, Shawn Cathcart, Scott Cathcart, Jeff Koehler, Chris Grable II, and Dennis Grable II.

Donations may be made to Hospice of St. Mary's, P.O. Box 625 Leonardtown, MD 20650. Arrangements provided by Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home.