Dean Johnston

Dean Johnston, age 103, of Quincy, IL and formerly of Milton, IL passed away Sunday, August 4, 2024, at Illinois Veterans Home in Quincy. He was born August 31, 1920, in Hardin Township, IL to Floyd Kennedy and Ruth Ina Johnson Johnston. Dean married Jean Beryl Nash November 17, 1946, with Joe Maynard officiating and she preceded him in death March 27, 2011.

Dean grew up in the Milton area and enlisted in the United States Army September 1942, where he served his country during WWII until his honorable discharge in November 1945. In early years, Dean played banjo and his brother, Harold played guitar in a band. They always enjoyed soup suppers at Grandpa and Grandma Johnston’s where they joined other family members and would play while the family filled up on oyster soup and chili. Dean worked as an electrician in the Milton area and worked on the family farm. He later moved to Quincy with his family and worked for Blessing Hospital building workstations for various departments in the hospital. Dean later worked in the maintenance department at Macomb High School and could be counted on for various tasks that needed his attention. He and Jean attended St. John’s Episcopal Church for several years. Dean was a talented woodworker and made gifts for many family members. Dean was an accomplished horseshoe player and always had a sharp mind. He took great delight in a genealogy trip in Beaver County, Pennsylvania with Jean and Karen to research their family tree and could recall details of their findings when asked.

Dean is survived by sons, Kevin (Cindy) Johnston of Blue Springs, MO and Terry (Marsena) Johnston of Cloverdale, IN; daughter, Karen (Tom) Schneider of Macomb, IL; grandchildren, Phillip (Sarah) Johnston, Brynn, Eric Schneider and Chris (Brit) Schneider; great grandchildren, Macy Lynn Schneider, June Johnston, Evelyn Johnston and Dean Johnston; and sisters-in-law, Ona Day Johnston and Helen Nash.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Floyd and Ruth Johnston; and siblings, Harold Johnston, Mary Lou Ince and Marjorie Bissell.

Cremation rites have been accorded and Funeral Liturgy will be held at 10:30 AM, Saturday, September 14, 2024, at St. John’s Cathedral, 3728 Payson Road, Quincy, IL 62305 with visitation held prior to the service from 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM at the church. Memorials are suggested to be made to Great River Honor Flight. Online condolences may be left to the family at www.nieburfh.com. Niebur Funeral Home in Pittsfield is handling the arrangements.

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