Ronald M. Johnston

Ronald M. Johnston of Crystal Lake, was born on July 21, 1928 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa to the late Mernie and Florence (nee Kendall) Johnston.  He passed away peacefully on August 7, 2023 at the tender age of 95 at the JourneyCare Pepper Family Hospice Center in Barrington.

Ronald was in the ROTC during his school days in St. Joseph, Missouri. He attended the same school as his future wife and were in the school band together.

He married Janice Helen Brown in 1949, and was called up to the Marines, and they moved to San Diego, California. He reached the rank of corporal and served in Korea in the 1st Division, 3rd Battallion, 7th Marine Regiment under Chesty Puller, the most decorated Marine in history.  He earned the Korean Service Medal and the UN Ribbon for his service. Ron was discharged in 1952 and he and Jan moved to Witchita, Kansas where he worked as a machinist building commercial airliners at Boeing.

The family moved to Crystal Lake in 1961, where Ronald worked as a Master Machinist for many years at the Quaker Oats Company plant in Barrington. Ron loved trains and aircraft. He and Jan were world travelers and enjoyed many wonderful cruises. He enjoyed reading about history and spent quality time with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and helped his family anyway that he could.

We were all grateful for having him in our lives. Ronald is survived by his sons, Kenneth M. (Jasmine) Johnston, and Steven P. (Boots) Johnston; former daughters-in-law, Sandra Johnston (nee Kemper) and Gail (Bobby) Riggs; grandchildren, Scott Johnston, Jennifer (Matt) Orlick (nee Johnston), Nicole (fiancé Chuck Cline) Johnston, Michael (Jordan) Johnston, and Christopher Johnston; great grandchildren, Vincent, Autumn and Wyatt Orlick, and his feline companion, Floki.

Ronald was preceded in death by his wife, Janice. We will be forever grateful for the loving care that Ron was given by the incredible staff at JourneyCare Hospice.

Friends and family are welcome to visit with Ron's family on Monday, August 14 from 10:00am until the time of a brief service at 12 noon at Davenport Family Funeral Home and Crematory, 419 E. Terra Cotta Avenue (Rte. 176), Crystal Lake. Burial with military honors will follow at Crystal Lake Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests any donations be made to the American Cancer Society.