Francis Merrill Johnston

Francis Merrill Johnston, the son of Joseph and Lulu Stewart Johnston, was born August 3, 1926, at his parents home near Guthrie Center, Iowa and died June 7, 2011, at his home in Fort Dodge, Iowa at the age of 84 years, 10 months, and 4 days.
Francis was baptized at the First Methodist Church in Fort Dodge, Iowa. He attended rural schools then graduated from the Audubon High School with the Class of 1944. He then enlisted in the U.S. Army. During his tour of duty he served in Germany. He was honorably discharged and was employed driving heavy equipment for a construction company in Wyoming.
In July of 1959 he was united in marriage to Rebecca A. Oliver in Sundance, Wyoming. Two children Bruce and Barbara were born to this union. They moved to Oklahoma for a short time then moved to Fort Dodge, Iowa in 1960. Francis was a salesman for Gus Glazer Meats for thirteen years until the business closed. He then was a salesman for Schumacher Wholesale Meats for several years. Francis then transitioned to his own independent business selling advertising specialties. Rebecca died November 16, 1995. Francis has continued to reside and work from their home. He enjoyed pheasant hunting, fishing and horse racing.
Francis was preceded in death by his wife Rebecca; his parents; and his brother Glen Johnston.
Survivors include his children Bruce and wife Risa Johnston of Fort Dodge, Iowa and Barbara Johnston and her husband Paul Harvey of Council Bluffs, Iowa; his grandsons Dylan Harvey and Jackson Harvey both of Council Bluffs; his sister-in-law Gwen Johnston of Atlantic, Iowa; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Cemetery:
Interment will be in the Maple Grove Cemetery in Audubon.

Service:
Funeral services will be conducted by Pastor Dwayne Ferguson on Friday, June 10, 2011, at 11:00 A.M. at the Kessler Funeral Home in Audubon, Iowa.