Joel Clark Johnson

Joel Clark Johnson
Marysvale, Utah

Joel Clark Johnson, age 95, passed away peacefully on June 11, 2025, in Monroe, Utah, surrounded by his loving family and in the arms of his devoted wife of 75 years, Nonna Noreen Kennedy Johnson.

Joel was born December 28, 1929, in Panguitch, Utah, to Vernon Raymond Johnson and Indra Marie Clark Johnson. He was raised in Circleville, Utah, the fifth of six children: Morris, Beth, Wallace, Verna, and Olga.

On June 5, 1950, Joel was sealed for eternity to the love of his life, Nonna Noreen Kennedy, in the Manti Utah Temple. He often said she was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. Together, Joel and Nonna made their home in Marysvale, Utah, where they raised five children: Randy and Jodi (Finlinson) Johnson of Marysvale; Alan and Helen (Adams) Johnson of Monroe; Layne and Nancy (Foote) Johnson of St. George; JoLynne (Johnson) and Burke Nay of Monroe; and Bryant Lee and Ashley (Willits) Johnson of Monroe.

Their family has grown to include 24 grandchildren, 52 great-grandchildren, and six great-great-grandchildren—a living testament to the love and legacy Joel leaves behind.

A lifelong resident of Marysvale, Joel was a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, faithfully serving in many callings in the Marysvale Ward. He believed in hard work, self-reliance, and service to others.

Joel held a variety of jobs while providing for his young family, including work at Kennecott Copper in Ely, Nevada, and with Boyles Brothers Drilling. He later worked at the VCA Uranium Mine and the Deer Trail Mine in Marysvale, spending over fifteen years underground.

In time, Joel began acquiring farmland and livestock, eventually establishing the family’s homestead. That farm later became the Johnson Dairy, where he worked alongside his sons for 27 years. Joel's tireless work ethic was legendary—he lived by the “Put Your Shoulder to the Wheel” philosophy and exemplified it every day.

Joel also served his community in many civic roles, including City Marshal of Marysvale and Bullion Canyon Water Master. For over thirty years, he proudly served on the Piute County Soil Conservation Board.

An avid miner and self-taught geologist, Joel was deeply knowledgeable about the mining history of the Tushar Mountains. He spent countless hours maintaining mining claims, blasting tunnels, and chasing the dream of “hitting the Mother Lode.” Yet he always said his greatest gold strike was his family.

Joel was preceded in death just days before his own passing by his beloved daughter, JoLynne Nay of Monroe. She was, in his words, his most cherished Crown Jewel.

Joel will be remembered for his unwavering integrity, his humble strength, his devotion to family, and the unconditional love he gave so freely. He is eternally loved and revered by all who knew him.

Funeral services will be Wednesday, June 18, 2025 at 12:00 Noon in the Marysvale Ward Chapel. A viewing will be prior to services from 10:00 - 11:30 am at the church. Interment will be in the Marysvale Cemetery.

Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti. Online guestbook www.maglebymortuary.com. Live stream of services can be found below Joel’s obituary