Jim fills her up for the last time

Jim Van Horn (left) and Tony Luft are a couple of local men that know a lot about cars. Van Horn closed his Johnny's Service Station on Highway 169 on Thursday, marking the final chapter of the full-service gas station in the community. Humboldt Independent photo.

An era is about to end this week when Johnny’s Service Station in Humboldt closes on Feb. 28.
The station, owned and operated by Jim Van Horn, is the last remaining full-service gas station in Humboldt.
“After 46 years it’s time to call it quits,” Van Horn said last week.
On a nearby calendar on the wall of his station, Van Horn has “Freedom Day” written in bold, black letters in the date box.
“Right now I don’t have a game plan. I’ll start taking it easy and enjoy life,” Van Horn said.
“I’ve had great customers over the years. I’m going to miss the people. I know that. I’ll have to adjust to that for sure. Still being in good health and everything, I feel now is the time to take some of that rocking chair money and enjoy life,” Van Horn said.
“If I get bored, I wouldn’t mind finding a part-time job doing something different for a change,” Van Horn said.
To read more about the business that is nearly as old as Van Horn himself, subscribe to the Humboldt Independent, or purchase a copy at the local newsstand.