ROBERT L. “Bob” JOHNSTON, 90, of Cherokee, Iowa, formerly of rural Cleghorn, Iowa, passed away on Sunday, November 10, 2024 at Cherokee Specialty Care in Cherokee, Iowa.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, November 14, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. at the First Church of Christ in Cherokee, Iowa. Pastor David Hall will officiate. Burial will be in the Meriden Cemetery. Military rites will be performed by L.A. Wescott Post #2253 and the Cherokee American Legion. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 13, 2024 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with the family present from 5-7:00 p.m. at the Boothby Funeral Home in Cherokee, Iowa. Online condolences may be left at www.boothbyfuneral.com.
Bob was born on July 19, 1934 to Joseph and Mildred (Phelan) Johnston at Cleghorn, Iowa. He attended Cleghorn Schools, graduating in 1952. He enlisted in the United States Army and served in the 41st Tank Battalion, 8th Armor Division from 1956-1958. He was stationed in Leipheim, Germany.
He was united in marriage to Eleanor Conley on October 4, 1959 at the First Church of Christ.
Bob ran his uncle, Harold Johnston’s corn sheller and worked for Farmers Elevator. He farmed the Century Family Farm his entire career before retiring in 2016.
Growing up Bob was a member of the Sheridan Township Boys 4-H club and also served on the livestock judging team. Bob served on First Co-Op board and also served on the CML Board as chairman. He was also a member of the Red Power Tractor Club.
He enjoyed reunions with his 41st Tank Battalion veterans. Bob loved spending time with family, especially his granddaughters, who were very special to him.
He was preceded in death by his parents, son Neal Johnston, sister Delores Schwaller and her husband Don, son-in-law, Eugene Beckwith, and brother-in-law Melvin Roepke.
Bob will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 65 years, Eleanor Johnston of Cherokee, Iowa; daughter Carla Beckwith (fiancé Terry Walford) of Aurora, South Dakota; two grandchildren Taylor Johnston and Trista Johnston; daughter-in-law Jill (Dan) Holmes of Cherokee, Iowa; sister Darlene Roepke (Larry Goettsch) of Washta, Iowa.
