Morton Wilce Johnson, 1940-2023

Submitted by the family

Morton Wilce Johnson, 82, died at his Morton Grove home on May 1 after heroically fighting this last illness cared for by his loving wife, Charlotte Mallon, and his hospice team. He had “graduated” from hospice two years ago and often talked about how grateful he was for his “bonus time.” 

Born on Sept. 29, 1940, in Evanston to Jared Larison and Eleanor Beatrice Anderson Johnson, he was the youngest of three sons. His older brothers were Jared Larison III and Harlow Chandler, both deceased. He lived in Evanston for nearly 60 years, finally moving away in 1999.

Mort and his brothers went to Evanston Township High School and graduated from Northwestern University. Mort graduated in 1963 with a degree in business. After graduation, he was drafted into the armed services. He ultimately became a Marine officer with a rank of captain serving in Vietnam. After an honorable discharge from the Marines, he joined Chandlers, the office supply and department store business owned and operated by his family in Evanston, well-known for the Chandler’s Assignment Notebook.

Mort married Patricia Wise in 1963, and they had two children, Larison Wise, of Concord, Massachusetts, and Laura Venning, of Denver. Patricia died in 1993, and Mort closed the Evanston Chandler’s store in 1995.

Mort married Charlotte Mallon on a beautiful, sunny day in Breckenridge, Colorado, on Feb. 9, 2002, surrounded by good friends and family including Charlotte’s children, Marty Senica and Mary Katherine Senica. Ultimately, Mort retired in 2006, devoting himself to his family, home remodeling projects, researching health- and nutrition-related issues and caring for his extensive collection of orchids.  

Mort grew up fishing with his family on Lake Winnibigoshish in Northern Minnesota and continued this tradition with his children. There are many fond memories of walleye and northern pike dinners, water skiing with the cousins from California and watching sunsets in Cabin 15 with Grandma J. Mort also loved to ski in Vail, Colorado, and made annual trips there for 20 years with a group of friends.

Mort is survived by his wife, Charlotte, his children, stepchildren and their spouses:  Larison and Jennifer Johnson (Concord, Massachusetts), Laura and Scott Mitchell (Denver), Marty and Mary Sim Senica (Berwyn, Illinois) and Mary Katherine and Chris Campbell (Rowlett, Texas). He is also survived by his grandchildren, Jackson and Sofie (Concord, Massachusetts); and Mason, Lorenzo, and Rowan (Denver). In addition, Mort has many nieces, nephews and cousins.  

A memorial will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 3 at the Hilton Garden Inn Chicago North Shore, 1818 Maple Ave. in Evanston. Friends and family are welcome to visit at Mort’s and Charlotte’s home after the memorial and take an orchid and/or a tool to remember Mort.  

May his memory be for a blessing.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Wounded Warrior Project. Please see Mort’s memorial page at https://everloved.com/life-of/morton-johnson/ to get updates and share photos and memories.