Hastings Funeral Home in Jefferson was in charge of services for Darwin Jay Johnston, 86 of Rippey. Darwin died October 5, 2011 at the Greene County Medical Center Long Term Care, in Jefferson. Visitation was Sunday after 1:00 p.m. at Hastings Funeral Home in Jefferson with the family present from 3:00 until 5:00 p.m. Graveside Funeral Services were held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday at the Rippey Cemetery south of Rippey after which Dar’s cremains will be interred with the cremains of his wife Lila who died in 2009. The family greeted friends on Monday at the Rippey United Methodist Church at a lunch following the cemetery service.
Words of comfort were given by Pastor Paul Burrow of the Rippey United Methodist Church. Daughter-in-law, Janice Johnston played several musical selections on her violin.
Honorary Bearers were Warren Knight, Theo Harris, Earl Lane, Don Coon, Dale Morse and Sam Babb.
Darwin Jay Johnston was born June 27, 1925 in Jefferson, Iowa and died October 5, 2011 at Greene County Medical Center Long Term Care at the age of 86.
Darwin attended school in Rippey, Iowa where he graduated in 1942. He married Lila Temple on July 4, 1948. They were parents of two sons, Ned and Ted. Dar farmed near Rippey most of his adult life. He was a member of the Rippey CO-OP Board, a trustee of Washington Township from January 8, 1985 until March 7, 2007, and an elected official of ASCS. He belonged to the Elmo Masonic Lodge #46, the Pleasant Hill Society, and was a caretaker at the Pleasant Hill Church. He enjoyed his grandchildren and gardening. Darwin made sugar corn at many community events. He often took his 1941 Dodge truck to the Rippey car show.
Darwin was preceded in death by his wife Lila, parents Ned and Ida (Haynes) Johnston, brother Lowell, and sister, Caroleen (Johnston) Terrill.
Darwin is survived by his two sons: Ned and wife Janice of Rippey; Ted and wife Joan of Winterset, and his five greatly loved grandchildren: Neil of Rippey, Ellen of Taiwan, Harrison of Rippey, Jacob of Urbandale, and Natalie of Winterset. He is also survived by his brother-in-law, Warren Knight of Carroll; three nieces: Connie Fontanini and Paula Knight of Carroll; and Debbie Hargens of Glidden; and a nephew: Marty Terrill of Perry; and other family and many friends.