When the 1930 Federal Census was taken, the Johns family was living in the city of Harrisburg at 620 S. Main Street, which they rented for $15 a month. His father, Columbus, was 32 years old and a native of Alabama, who worked as a room boss for the Sahara Coal Company in the Sahara No. 7 mine. Gene’s mother, Mabel, was only 26 and was born in Illinois. There were three sons in the home, Bronzel Johns, the oldest was 7, Tommy Johns was 5 and Harold Gene Johns was 3 ½ years of age.
Ten years later, in 1940, the family was still living in Harrisburg, but had moved to another rental at 509 N. Granger Street, where they paid $20 in rent per month. The three sons were all still present in the home and the father, Columbus, was then working as a coal mine fireman, but still with Sahara Coal Company. Gene was 12 years old in this census.
After attending the local schools in Harrisburg, Gene attended SIU at Carbondale, Illinois. He was projected to have graduated in the SIU class of 1952, but it is unknown whether he completed the degree. It is possible, that this is a case of life getting in the way, because on May 6, 1950, his father died of a heart attack in Harrisburg.
It is known that Gene secured a job working with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and when his father died in 1950; his address in his father’s obituary was Washington, D.C.
I found only one reference that Gene was in the military, his 1970 Senatorial campaign indicated that he was a navy veteran, but no other sources were located to confirm this.
On January 1, 1951 he married Yvonne Price in Piggott, Arkansas.
In the early 1960’s, Johns was still living in Harrisburg, he was a zone manager of Texaco Oil Company and owned a small petroleum distributorship in West Frankfort.
Before 1965, Gene and his wife, Yvonne, had moved to Marion and purchased a home at 402 Bainbridge Road. Around this time, he entered politics by becoming the Regional Administrator of the Illinois State Department of Business and Economic Development under Governor Otto Kerner. It was the first department of its kind in southern Illinois.
In the elections held in November of 1970, Gene, a Democrat, un-seated Delmer R. Mitchell, incumbent, the 57th District State Senator from Johnston City.
During his years as a Senator he served on many committees, some of which are mentioned here.
Johns was vice chairman of the committee on executive appointments and a member of several other committees. They included agriculture, conservation, energy, rules transportation, education, joint child care study and special joint committee on the environment.
In 1971, Johns accepted an appointment to the Equal Educational Opportunity advisory committee.
In 1973, Sen. Johns, under the administration of Gov. Daniel Walker appropriated $40,000 for work on Crab Orchard Creek to eliminate flooding in Marion. In heavy rains, backwater from the creek flooded the south areas of Marion, including the old Creal Springs road and the South Market street road.
In 1975, Sen. Johns, was named Chairman of the Illinois Senate Executive Committee.
Johns was Chairman of the Democratic caucus for the Democratic Party. It was one of five leadership positions in the Illinois Senate.
He was a member of the commission to examine state institutions and the commission on county problems.
Johns was instrumental in bringing the school for the hearing impaired to the Jefferson School in Marion in the 1970’s. The money was appropriated by Johns in June 1973. It was the first school of its kind in Southern Illinois, south of Jacksonville.
Senator Johns, who lived at 402 Bainbridge Road in Marion, died at 10:38 p.m. Saturday, August 11, 1984, in Carbondale Memorial Hospital of cancer at the age of 56 with an unfinished term in the Senate.
Former congressman Kenneth Gray said of John, “He was a real fighter for the people and a true friend.” Williamson County Superintendent of Schools, Leslie McCollum, said his acquaintance with Johns goes back when they were fraternity brothers in college, he said he took Johns to his first political meeting at the old court house in Marion 20 years ago. “Gene was always willing to answer the bell and the needs of Southern Illinois,” McCollum said. “I feel that I’ve lost a very personal friend and Southern Illinois has lost a dedicated senator.”
Congressman Paul Simon said Johns was intensely loyal to Southern Illinois and to the coal miner and the entire coal industry. “The school for the deaf in Marion would not have been there without Gene John’s leadership,” Simon said. “I have lost a friend and Southern Illinois has lost a champion.”
At the following Marion city council meeting after his death, a tribute was paid to Johns. “While he was different from me politically, I think he tried to represent the best interest of the people of the area,” Mayor Robert Butler said. “And, he will be missed.”
Survivors at his death included his wife; sons, Mark Johns of West Frankfort and Dane Johns of Marion; a daughter, Mrs. Brad (Daredan) Hill of West Frankfort; brothers, James and Thomas Johns of Harrisburg; two grandchildren, Vanessa Sue and Dane Christian Johns of Marion.
Funeral services for State Sen. Gene Johns, Democrat, Marion, were conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Mitchell-Hughes Funeral Home in Marion. About 300 people attended the service including many government officials and local leaders. Congressman Kenneth Gray, long-time friend of Johns who delivered the eulogy, called Johns “a champion for Southern Illinois.”
Those in attendance were Illinois State Senate President Phil Rock; Jeanne Simon, the wife of Congressman Paul Simon; SIU Chancellor, Kenneth Shaw; SIU-C President Albert Somit; Ken Buzbee of Carbondale; Sen. Terry Bruce, Olney; Sen. Vince Demuzio, Carlinville; and Kenneth Hall, E. St. Louis.
The body was entombed in a mausoleum at a private ceremony held later in Rose Hill Cemetery. Officiating at the service was the Rev. Harl Lewis and Kenneth Gray. Pallbearers were, Mark Johns, Dane Johns, Brad Hill, Bill Gile, Ray Prince and Glenn Dunbar. Honorary Pallbearers were, Phillip Rock, Vince Demuzio, Terry Bruce, Kevin French, Edwin Prince and Tom Johns.
On Monday, July 26, 2004, Williamson County Deputy Dane Johns, 44, died as a result of an accidental discharge of his service shotgun. The accident occurred, Williamson County Sheriff Tom Cundiff said, when Johns’ shotgun discharged as he was removing it from his squad car.
Deputy Dane Johns, was pronounced dead at 5:44 p.m. at Heartland Regional Medical Center in Marion
A deputy since 1982, Johns was named Deputy of the Year in 2003. Survivors included his wife and three children. Johns was the son of the late state Sen. Gene Johns of Marion.
Sam’s Notes: If anyone has knowledge of Gene Johns’ military service, please advise.
(Southern Illinois articles from 1964 thru 1978, Marion Daily Republican articles and obits, August, 1984; Harrisburg Register, May 1950; Federal Census Records; Marion City Directories; Marion City Cemetery Records; Southern Illinois University Obelisk 1949; Social Security Death Records; Compiled by Sam Lattuca on 01/27/2014)