February 06, 2025
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Manteno’s Dan Johnson retires from public works

By Christopher Breach
Dan Johnson, center, accepts a certificate from the village after his retirement from the public works department on Monday, Feb. 3, 2025. At left is Joel Gesky, village trustee, and Jim Hanley, superintendent of public works, on the right.

Dan Johnson, center, accepts a certificate from the village after his retirement from the public works department on Monday, Feb. 3, 2025. At left is Joel Gesky, village trustee, and Jim Hanley, superintendent of public works, on the right. (Christopher Breach)

The third time will most definitely be the charm for Manteno’s Dan Johnson.

The former school teacher, coach and most recently public works employee, Johnson has retired from the department. He was honored with a certificate at Monday’s village board meeting.

This is Johnson’s third retirement in his career.

“It’s been a great experience, and special thanks to Nick Rogers and Andrew Regas for taking me under their wing when I started and explaining things to me how things work in public works,” Johnson said. “... It was a great group of guys to work with.”

Johnson said he felt a little inferior when he started out 10 years ago with the public works department because his colleagues were adept at skills like plumbing, electric, carpentry and concrete work. He found his niche in doing some landscaping around the village.

“From my farm background, I knew how to dig weeds and cultivate, keep things going,” he said. “I’m glad Jim [Hanley, superintendent of public works] found that for me and gave me a free reign with it.”

Johnson said these duties allowed him to take pride in what he was doing. He said he enjoyed his time with the summer (temporary) work crews, especially his last group, which he described as an “outstanding group of guys.

“It was just always a good atmosphere to work in,” he said.

Before presenting Johnson with his certificate, Hanley said that Johnson has lived in Manteno for years, taught in Manteno and coached track for a number of years. Johnson was a substitute teacher after his first retirement.

Johnson started with the department in 2014.

“He’s always had a positive attitude,” Hanley said. “He’s friendly and has always been a hard worker. Dan has done everything from snow plowing to mowing, building playgrounds, building maintenance. I’d say in the last few years, he’s been the No. 1 flower and landscape [waterer and] maintainer.”

Hanley said that Johnson has gotten along with everybody and mentored some of the younger guys.

“He’s been a pleasure to work with,” Hanley said. “And we hope he’s able to enjoy his retirement again and again and again.”