Carla D. Johnson 1946-2025

She was born Sept. 6, 1946, in Glendale, California, and grew up in Collinsville, Illinois, the daughter of the late Frank and Audrey Witte Fitzler.

She married Robert Johnson on June 4, 1966, in Collinsville.

Carla was a devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother whose life was defined by service, kindness and unwavering dedication to her family and community.

She was a longtime member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Liberty. Her faith was incredibly important to her and was reflected in her life every single day.

In the course of her life, Carla proudly served as a Girl Scout leader, instilling values and confidence in a generation of young girls. She also volunteered in several of Austintown’s youth sports leagues and various other youth activities, supporting not just her children, but many others as well. Her compassionate spirit extended to her work with the American Red Cross, where she volunteered alongside her husband. Most importantly, she was lovingly regarded as the matriarch of her family – always present, always supportive and always putting others first.

Carla is survived by her husband, Robert Allen Johnson; children, Lisa (Alberto) Johnson Polo, C. Scott Johnson (Ronit Kirchman) and Krista Beeler; her beloved grandchildren, Robert (Shelby Boyer) Polo, Rory Polo, Caleb Beeler, Micaela (Sam) Forsey, Kaj Beeler, Mairen Polo, Alexander Kirchman-Johnson and Theodore Kirchman-Johnson; and her two cherished great-grandchildren, Ophelia Beeler and Penelope Boyer-Polo. Additionally, she is survived by many nieces and nephews, with an extra acknowledgement to Erin Fitzler. Erin’s help and support in the last weeks of her life were invaluable.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Walter Lee “Corky” Fitzler.

Family and friends may call 9:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday, July 26, 2025, followed by a funeral service at 11 a.m., at Lane Funeral Home in Austintown, followed by internment in Forest Lawn Cemetery in Boardman.

The family would like to thank the staff and residents of Aventura at Humility House in Austintown for their exceptional kindness and love.

Carla leaves behind a legacy of love, service and strength. She touched the lives of everyone she met, and we are all better for it. She will be missed more than we can possibly say.

(special notice)