Forrest Johnston
d. January 27, 2013
Forrest E. Johnston, 92, of Donahue, Iowa, passed away on Sunday, January 27, 2013 at the Bettendorf Health Care Center, just nine days from his 93 rd birthday. He had been a resident there since October of 2012.
There will be no visitation and private family services will be held at Davenport Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to the Donahue Volunteer Fire Department. Chambers Funeral Home in Eldridge is assisting the family with arrangements.
Forrest was born February 5, 1920, the son of Warren & ClaraBelle (Pope) Johnston, who had farmed near LeClaire, Iowa. On December 15, 1944, he was united in marriage to Frances J. Hansen, his life-long mate until she passed away in 2006.
Forrest served at Bougainville in the Pacific during WWII, returned to the States and was honorably discharged in October of 1945. He farmed land in Scott County until becoming office manager for the Scott County ASCS office and retiring in 1985. He also served as the Town Clerk of Donahue for a number of years. Self-employed as an electrician, many counted on his professionalism, knowledge, skills and generosity.
As a family man, he loved to take his family on a drive and end up at Dairy Queen or A&W for a special treat. Fishing trips or annual fall journeys to Wisconsin for apples and cider were also fond family memories. Fruit trees and gardening remained hobbies after his retirement.
Frequently found at his bedside were his sons, Steve (Linette) of Eldridge, Howard (Kathleen) of DeWitt, Iowa, Daniel of Donahue and Gary (Cecilia) of Davenport; his daughters, Irene (Terry) Morgan of St. Louis, Missouri and Linda Tilford of Hiawatha, Iowa; many of the grandchildren visited of which eleven are living, and one grandson, Jack Lee Johnston preceded him in death. He also was blessed to have twenty-two great-grandchildren.
With long life, the Lord honored him, making him the longest living Johnston in four generations. Forrest was also preceded in death by his siblings; by brothers, Marvin, Elvan (at age 3) and Cyril; and by sisters, Grace (at age 3) and Mary Reading.
Psalm 91:16 “With long life I will satisfy him, And show him my salvation”