Edward Johnston

EDWARD A. JOHNSTON

Belle Plaine

Edward A. Johnston, 84, of Belle Plaine, passed away Friday, Aug. 25, 2017, under hospice care at Belle Plaine Specialty Care Center, where he was surrounded by his loving family.

Services are at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 29, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Chelsea with Father Mike Mescher and Deacon Joe Behounek officiating. Burial will take place at Rector Cemetery, Chelsea, with military honors.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 28, at the church and will continue one hour before the service Tuesday.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Joseph's Catholic Church.

Online condolences can be sent to the family at www.hrabakfuneralhome.com.

Edward was born June 5, 1933, to Edward Sr. and Anna (Benda) Johnston, at his family's home in Chelsea. Ed attended St. Joseph's Catholic School and graduated in 1951 from Chelsea High School. Following school, he served in the Army under the Military Police Corps in Washington, D.C. Ed was a hog buyer for Rath Packing in Chelsea, auctioneer for over 50 years, hauled U.S. mail for Alan Ritchie and drove a school bus for South Tama and Belle Plaine schools. Ed was mayor of Chelsea for 10 years from the late 1980s to early 1990s. Ed married Avis Bennethum on Oct. 23, 1982.

Ed was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus and Chelsea American Legion.

He always will be remembered for his love of family and faith.

He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Avis Johnston; four children, Anna (Gene) Upah of Belle Plaine, Jeanne (Doug) Joens of Cedar Rapids, Andrew (Jenny) Johnston of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Helen (Nathan) Martindale of Walford; grandchildren, Bart and Allie Upah, Meghan and Jackson Joens and Kennedy (Jamieson) Johnston; dog, Sophie; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

The family would like to thank Hospice Compassus of Cedar Rapids and Belle Plaine Specialty Care for the wonderful care and compassion they received.