Name: Johnson, Edward Leo
Born: 06/28/1941
Place Indianapolis, Indiana
Ordained: 1968
Place Ordained: Indianapolis, Indiana
Years of Service: 1968-1971?
Died: 09/10/2026
Place Died: Greenwood, Indiana
Burial Info: Calvary Cemetery, Indianapolis
Notes: Priest of the Archdiocese from 1968 until his depature in 1973. He marries Carol Ann Koetter. One child, Eric, was ordained for the Archdiocese.
Edward Johnson Obituary
Obituary published on Legacy.com by O’Riley-Branson Funeral Service & Crematory – Indianapolis on Sep. 12, 2026.
Edward Leo Johnson, Jr., age 85, of Greenwood, Indiana passed away on September 10, 2026, with his loved ones by his side. Ed was born on June 28, 1941, in Indianapolis to Edward Johnson, Sr. and Dolores Kistner. He grew up on the near west side of downtown in the Holy Trinity Catholic Church community.
The eldest of eight children, Ed lived a life rooted in faith, music, and togetherness. He attended the Latin School in Indianapolis and continued his seminary formation at St. Meinrad Seminary, and for a time, in Lima, Peru, and earned his master’s degree from the University of Notre Dame. Ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis in 1968, Ed taught at his alma mater, the Latin School and later at Fr. Thomas Scecina Memorial High School while living in residence at St. Andrew and Assumption Parishes.
In 1973, he married his forever love, Carol Ann Koetter of Floyds Knobs, Indiana and so began their beautiful life together with the additions of their four children, Eric, Sarah, Jeff and Emily. While faith was always at their core, Ed and Carol also provided a home filled with safety, acceptance, love, learning, and joy. Ed instilled a love for music, literature and adventure in his children. You could often find their family of six singing and laughing together in their living room. Patient, gentle, and giving, Ed was stoic and steady in many ways, but oh so playful and loving with those that meant most to him, especially his five grandchildren, Annie, Leo, Graham, Poppy, and Jameson. When it came to his children and grandchildren, Ed hung the moon.
When Ed lost his father – just two weeks before the birth of his first son – he became an important and steady presence and support to his mother, siblings, in-laws, nieces, and nephews. He was also surrounded by a large community of friends, who were important to him and to whom he gave his attention and devotion. Many looked to him for encouragement and spiritual guidance.
In his professional life, he managed medical and behavioral health practices and hospitals. In his final years as a working professional, he served as a business manager for a group of inner-city Catholic parishes.
Ed was preceded in death by his parents, Ed and Dolores, his sisters, Rita and Kathy, and his brother, Charlie. He is survived by his wife, Carol; children, Fr. Eric Johnson, Sarah Johnson (Eliane), Jeff Johnson (Sarah), and Emily Hatch (Ryan); grandchildren Annie, Leo, Graham, Poppy, and Jameson; sisters Jean Webb (David) and Mary Michael (Bob), brothers Jim Johnson (Anita) and Tim Johnson (Tina); and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation for Ed will be Wednesday, September 16, 2026 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at O’ Riley – Branson Funeral Service & Crematory, 6107 S. East Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46227. A vigil and a time of remembrance will be from 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday, September 17, 2026 at 10:30 am at St. Barnabas Catholic Church at 8300 Rahke Road, Indianapolis, Indiana 46217. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery at 2:00 pm.