Claire Stevens Johnston

JOHNSTON, STEVENS, PARKENSON, DAVIS, GURGESS, JURGENSEN, INGLE, STANLEY, SECREST, QUINN, PAULLIN

Posted By: Ida Morse (email)
Date: 8/6/2006 at 21:28:27

Earlham Library Obituaries, February 1951
Earlham, Iowa

CLAIRE STEVENS JOHNSTON

Claire Stevens Johnston was born to Fannie and John Johnston January 5, 1884 in Madison county, Iowa, and spent most of his life in Adair, Madison and Guthrie counties.

He was united in marriage to Edna Parkenson October 2, 1907 and to this union were born four children; two daughters, Mrs. Lucy Davis of Adair, Iowa and Mrs. Grace Gurgess of Des Moines, and two sons, Bruce of Harlan, Iowa and Merle Johnston of Atlantic, Iowa, serving with the U. S. Navy at the present time.

July 18, 1936 he was married to Dorathy Jurgensen at Adel, Iowa.

Claire was a member of the Methodist church at Winterset and last Easter Sunday he had his membership transferred to the Stuart Methodist church.

He entered the Dexter Clinic Monday February 5 and passed away Monday morning, February 12 at 8:30 a.m. at the age of 67 years, one month and one week.

He leaves to mourn his passing his wife Dorathy, his four children, seven grandchildren, two sisters, Mrs. Bess Ingle, Shattuck, Okalahoma, and Mrs. Ivan Stanley, Morgan Hill, California; one brother, Oscar Johnston of Earlham; and his four step-children, Henry Jurgensen, Minburn; Mrs. Marianna Secrest, Stuart; Mrs. Florine Quinn, Rock Island, Illinois; and Mrs. Audrey Paullin of Stuart. Also nine step-grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends.

Claire spent his childhood days on the Joe Eversull farm east of Stuart and most of his life he farmed, but the last and most enjoyable occupation was being manager of the Stuart Rollerdome for almost seven years. Where he was known as “Pa” Johnston to all the young folks.

Funeral services were held at the Methodist church, February 15 at 2:00 p.m. conducted by Rev. E. Harold Jackson. Music was furnished by Mrs. Ben Baker, and Mrs. Roy Gilman with Mrs. Ralph Miller as organist. Those in charge of flowers were Mrs. Albert Mitchell, Mrs. Claus Horn, Maude Moore and Ethel Wise. Casket bearers were Merle Herriott, August Damman, Fred Bateham, Carl Schirm, Edgar Griffin and Ray Potts. Honorary pallbearers were John Dolan of Minburn, Donald Johnston, W. H. Lee, John Paullin, all of Stuart and Walter Dale of Chariton.

Interment was in the Stuart cemetery.