Person Page - 580

She was the daughter of John and Mary Olive (Larkin) Johnston. Her entire life was spent in Adams County except for
eight years in the State of South Dakota. She was survived by her devoted husband, Raymond, and her four children. Also
surviving were two sons-in-law, nine grandchildren, five great grandchildren, two sisters, Mrs. Rob Bothell of Corning and
Mrs. Leslie Coulter of Brooks, one brother, Chester Johnston of Creston and one sister-in-law, Mrs. Otto Johnston of Corning
and a brother-in-law, Leslie Coulter of Brooks, plus a host of friends and other relatives.
She was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, Otto and Milo, and one great grandson.
She was a member of the Mercer Center Methodist Church where she served faithfully. To seek the Lord's help, her
Bible was her guide. Doing things for her family and friends always came first in her life. She will be greatly missed by all
who knew her. To know her was to love her.
She was 79 years,4 months, and 23 days old at the time of her death. Funeral services were held at the Mercer Center
Church on May 17,1971, at 2 p.m., conducted by Rev. William Fry, and assisted by Rev. John C. Turner.³

Her entire married life was spent in Adams County. She was survived by her husband, her 3 children, 4
grandchildren, 2 sisters, 1 brother, a mother-in-law, and sister-in-law and brother-in-law.
She was a lifetime member of the Mercer Center United Methodist Church where she served as
superintendent and teacher in the children's department most of her adult life. She was active in the
UMW and has served on the sewing committee. She loved to sew and spent many hours making clothing, quilting and fancy work. Before her marriage, she taught school in Carl and Mercer townships. Her enjoyment was working with her own and other children. Her greatest pleasure was her grandchldren.¹

She received an undergraduate degree from Northwest Missouri State University and a master's degree
from Arizona State University. She taught school in Prescott and Adams County rural schools until moving to Phoenix, Arizona, in 1947 where she taught for nearly 27 years before moving to Creston. She was also a librarian. She was a member of the Central United Methodist Church and Beta Sigma Phi. She served as president of the Adams County School Association and held a position in the district office in the NEA and IEA Teach Associations.
She never married. Survivors include brother, Wayne Bunting and sister Merle Burkhalter, both of Creston, and nine nieces and nephews.¹

He was never married. He retired from farming and moved to Creston, Iowa, in 1983. Per his request,
his beloved dog, Tony, was cremated and his ashes were placed in the coffin with Wayne.¹