Raymond Johnston

Raymond LeRoy Johnston, son of LeRoy “Tad” Barnes Johnston and Wanda Arlene Henrich Johnston was born November 5, 1936 in Clarke County, Iowa on a farm and passed from this life Wednesday, March 22, 2023 at Southern Hills Specialty Care at 86 years of age.   

Raymond received his early education in the Thayer schools and when he got older he then attended country schools near Murray.  Later his parents moved to the Truro School District and he graduated from the Truro High School in 1954.     

Raymond began dating his high school sweetheart, Betty Ann Matthews and they became engaged as seniors while attending Truro High School and Murray High School.           

Raymond and Betty were united in marriage March 25, 1955 at the Murray United Methodist Church and four children, Randall, Anne, Lynne and Sue blessed this union of nearly sixty-eight years.     

Raymond devoted his life to working the land farming and raising cattle and hogs.  He and his dad also did custom farm work for many people over the years cutting acres and acres of hay and chopping many tons of silage, as well as selling Moews Seeds for many years. He was a very proud member of NFO-National Farmers Organization, CCI- Citizens For Community Improvement and was a Madison Township Trustee since the 1970′s. He became a member of the Murray Bible Church and was baptized in South River, north of Murray.  Later the church became the Murray Baptist Church where he served many roles such as a deacon and song leader.  Raymond was very much a people person and never knew a stranger, striking up a conversation with just about anyone.  He loved attending his grandkids events and watching football on Sundays. He loved being outdoors, taking pictures and enjoyed his quiet time when he would “go to see a man about a dog.”   

Those relatives who preceded Raymond in death were his parents; grandparents, Mary Lucretia Johnston and Clyde H. Johnston and grandparents, Henry W. Henrich and M Grace Henrich.   

Raymond leaves to cherish his memory; wife, Betty Ann Johnston of Murray, IA, son, Randall (Heidi) Johnston of Murray, IA, daughters, Anne (Scott) Leathers of Ollie, IA, Lynne (Kirk) Hauge of Osceola, IA, and Sue (Randy) Turner of Murray, IA; grandchildren, Drew (Morgan) Johnston of Ames, IA, William Johnston of Des Moines, IA, Matthew Johnston of Hudson, WI, Megan Johnston (Troy Morgan) of Ankeny, IA, Steven (Nancy) Hauge of New Virginia, IA, Jenny (Ross) Bauer of New Virginia, IA, Amy (Dan) Benge of Winterset, IA,  Landon Turner (Mikayla Massara) of Waxahachie, TX; great-grandchildren, Auden, Everett, Eli, Bailey, Nickolas, Blake, Kaleb, Kaylee, Brock, Trax, Millie, Tripp, Nile, Norah, Oliver and Owen.  Also surviving is his sister-in-law, Linda Dubord of Osceola, IA; niece, Lori Day of Des Moines, as well as many cousins, other relatives and many friends.

Services will be held at Murray Baptist Church, Tuesday March 28, 2023 at 10:30 am with  officiating.

The family will greet friends from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm Monday, March 27, 2023 at Kale Funeral Home.

A live stream of the service will be available at www.kalefuneralhome.com on Raymond’s tribute wall beginning at 10:30 am, Tuesday.

Interment will be in the Murray Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Murray Baptist Church or Care Initiatives Hospice.

Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.kalefuneralhome.com