Shirley Elmber Johnston

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