Cleophus Johnson Jr, 74, of Elkhart, passed away Wednesday, July 6, at Hospice House of Elkhart, surrounded by his family. He was born June 6, 1942, in Wyatt, MO., to Cleophus and Alma (Young) Johnson, who preceded him in death. He is survived by two sons, Douglas (Patrice) Laura of Phoenix, AZ, and Cletus Brooks of Tacoma, WA; four daughters: Jennifer (David) Frazier, Wanda Johnson of IL, Stacie Johnson of Mishawaka, IN and Chyna McKnight of Elkhart, IN. Also surviving are 27 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Additional survivors are six sisters, Aretha Taylor, Alma Pullium, Esther (Oliver) Pettis, all of Elkhart, Jo Ann (Warren) Black of Wakarusa, Rosie Lee Johnson of Sikeston, MO, and Cleo Johnson of Atlanta, GA. He was preceded in death by a daughter Yvonne Johnson, two brothers, William and Calvin (Tee) Johnson, sisters, Ceola (Pee Wee) Tate and Bettie Johnson and many cousins. Cleophus was a veteran of the Vietnam war and served two Tours. He received a Bronze Star medal, Air Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Medal, US Vietnam Service Medal with Silver Star, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, RVN Gallantry Cross Medal and an Expert Rifle Man. He was a live member of the DAV Post #15. Cleophus was a basketball player in grade and high school. He loved to cook, make people laugh and help out family with different problems. He was an outstanding professional painter in his time, and was very sociable and military oriented. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Friday, July 15, 2016, with an 11:00 a.m. service following all at Hartzler-Gutermuth-Inman Funeral Home, 403 W Franklin Street, Elkhart. Rev Jewel Jenkins and Alex Sims will officiate. Burial will be in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens. Special thanks to hospice team members. Memorials may be made in care of Hartzler-Gutermuth-Inman Funeral Home.