WHITTINGTON – Bob L. Johnston, 86, of Whittington passed away Sunday morning, April 30, 2023 at the Mt. Vernon Countryside Manor.
He was born in Whittington, IL on May 25, 1936, the son of Harley Oral & Bertha (Britton) Johnston.
He married Deanna Arnold on October 24, 1964.
Bob enjoyed playing, coaching, and watching various types of sporting events. He was a 1954 graduate of Benton High School, where he was part of a regional championship team in basketball. He went on an athletic scholarship to Erskine College in South Carolina to attain his teaching degree. He was a four-year starter in both baseball and basketball along with being selected as team captain in both sports his senior year. In 1994 Erskine College inducted him into their athletic Hall of Fame.
Bob’s teaching and coaching career included stops at Whittington, Royalton, Valier, and Galatia. The majority of his teaching years were with the Benton Grade School District, where he retired from in 1993. There are many who remember him as a member of the Whittington fastpitch softball team. Several of his years in the summer were spent at the Benton Park where he served as Park Superintendent.
Bob was at his best while teaching. This included not only the classroom but also in helping others learn to do things like water skiing or even flying radio controlled model airplanes. He loved going to Benton athletic events and worked on the scorebench for basketball games during the heyday of Benton basketball. He rarely missed watching the St. Louis Cardinals games.
During his retirement years he loved following his grandkids Jared and Jenna, in all their sporting events and activities. Bob and Deanna attended Whittington Baptist Church where Bob enjoyed Sunday School classes.
Bob is survived by his:
Wife: Deanna Johnston of Whittington
Son: Jeff Johnston & wife Jan of Whittington
Grandson: Jared Johnston & wife MaKennah of Benton and Great-Granddaughter Jovi
Granddaughter: Jenna Schimpf & husband John of St. Louis, MO
Bob was preceded in death by his parents and one brother Bill Johnston.
Funeral services will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, May 5th at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Rev. Mark Minor officiating. Burial will be in the Shiloh Cemetery in Whittington. Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com.