Johnston, George W.

George W. Johnston, 73, of Independence, died Tuesday morning, Dec. 14, 2010, at his home near Independence. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Friday at the Reiff Funeral Home & Crematory, Independence, where friends may call from 2 to 8 p.m. Thursday. Burial will be in the Troy Mills Cemetery, Troy Mills, Iowa.

George was born on March 6, 1937, near Troy Mills, the son of Andrew and Ruth (Peyton) Johnston. He attended the Troy Mills Schools and was united in marriage to Josephine “JoAnn” Fuessley on June 24, 1956, in Troy Mills. George farmed in the Quasqueton area and was employed by Rowley Equipment for 35 years, before his retirement in 1997. George also did carpentry work and was a long time member of the Quasqueton Volunteer Fire Department.

He is survived by his wife, JoAnn; a daughter, Sue Spece of Independence; three grandchildren, Josh Spece, Jackie (Jim) Heinz and Jacob Spece; and three sisters, Yvonna Gericke of Quasqueton, Betty (John) Cannon of Rowley, and Janet (Jack) Franck of Independence.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother in infancy

For more information or to leave an online condolence, please go to under obituaries.