 Shirley
Elmer Johnston, age 93, of Friendship, Wisconsin died
January 2, 2010, following a short stay at the Villa Pines
Living Center in Friendship, Wisconsin.Interment will be
at a later date in the spring, at the East Arkdale Cemetery,
Town of Strongs Prairie, Adams County, Wisconsin.
Shirley was born February 13, 1916, in Hinsdale,
Illinois, to Frank and Selma (Berg) Johnston. He was raised
in Arkdale.
Shirley enjoyed life to its fullest everyday. His first
love from an early age was flying. Shirley learned to fly
in 1936, and became Adams County's first aviator. In 1941,
as a civilian he set out for Decauter, Al. to teach the
military cadets to fly stearman airplanes. He continued on
to Ft. Myers, Fl. to teach the cadet gunners to shoot
machine guns from the back of an AT-6 airplane. He
graduated into flying C-47 transports, and shortly after was
transferred from civilian life to the US Army Air Corp;
flying throughout his military career all over Europe.
Shirley was even given the opportunity to fly for a
presidential party. Shirley became the personal pilot for
the commanding Admiral of the European Theater and ended his
military career as a Captain in the US Army Air Corp.
Shirley was a life member of the V.F.W. Post 6279.
In 1946, Shirley returned to Adams County at the End
of World War II, where he soon met and married Mildred J
Banovec on July 3, 1947. This marriage created seven
wonderful children over the years. Shirley was quite the
entrepreneur owning and operating several businesses. In
1946, Shirley built and owned the Adams Theater. He owned
and ran the Dew Drop Inn for a short time. Shirley also
worked for the Adams County Highway Department for 8 years,
and drove school bus for the Adams-Friendship School
District for approximately 10 years.
At the end of Shirley's long career he built and owned
the Oak Crest Motel until his retirement, in which he
traveled the United States in his Bounder motorhome. In
2000, Mildred passed away.
His love for flying never failed, as Shirley owned many
of his own personal aircraft and flew well into his late
80's.
In 2002, Shirley met Shirley Stec who quickly became the
love of his life.
Shirley loved spending time with his family and friends
and his dog Tammi. He spend the rest of his days enjoying
the outdoors and especially enjoyed hunting, fishing, and of
course flying.
Shirley was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and
Selma (Berg) Johnston; wife, Mildred J. Johnston (2000);
and son, Thomas B. Johnston (1989).
Survivors:
Special
Companion: Shirley Stec of Friendship, Wisconsin
Daughter:
Sonja Larson of Albuquerque, New Mexico
Daughter:
Jane (Sam) Eversole of Brownsville, California
Son:
Kim Johnston of Friendship, Wisconsin
Son:
Jerry (Peg) Johnston of Friendship, Wisconsin
Son:
Eric (Barbara) Johnston of Sparks, Nevada
Son:
Mark (Karen) Johnston of Columbus, Missouri
Grandchildren:
Troy, Trisha, Timothy, Ryan, and Kyle
Further
survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends
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