Edward J. Johnson, 71, a hardware-store owner who received a “Retailer of the Century” award on the same day he was told he had Lou Gehrig’s disease , died of that disease Tuesday, Feb. 26, in La Grange Memorial Hospital. Until a few weeks ago, Mr. Johnson visited his store, Western Springs True Value Hardware, a couple of times a week despite his illness. He and a partner started the business in 1954 in a tiny shop “with about four aisles,” said his daughter Linda. Mr. Johnson assumed full ownership in 1962. The business grew over the years and he bought three adjoining storefronts to expand his inventory. He believed in good customer service, said his daughter, who described her father as the kind of hardware guy who knew exactly where each nail or tool could be found in the store. Her father liked to give repair or remodeling advice and trained his employees to do the same, she said. At the age of 35, Mr. Johnson was elected president of the Illinois Retail Hardware Association–the youngest president in that organization’s history, his daughter said. He was honored as the West Suburban Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year in 1976 and Western Springs’ Citizen of the Year in 1987. For 17 years, Mr. Johnson was president of the Western Springs Service Club, which supports two swimming pools and swim teams in the community. He was on the boards of the Western Springs United Way and Community Family Service Mental Health. On Sept. 26, 2000, the Illinois Retail Merchants Association honored him as one of 100 statewide “Retailers of the Century.” Mr. Johnson is also survived by his wife of 49 years, Audrey; a son, Steven; another daughter, Kathleen Crumley; a sister, Edna Schramm; and eight grandchildren. Visitation will be from 3 to 9 p.m. Thursday in Hallowell & James Funeral Home, 1025 W. 55th St., Countryside. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday in St. James Lutheran Church, 5129 S. Wolf Rd., Western Springs.
