Barney Edward Johnston

Barney Edward "Bud" Johnston, 73, of Springfield, died at 11:15 a.m. on Monday, August 24, 2009 at Memorial Medical Center. Bud was born June 1, 1936 in East St. Louis, IL, the son of Barney Edward and Mary Markezich Johnston. He married Linda "Lynn" (Wright) Shepard on December 16, 1978 in Rochester. Bud was a veteran of the U.S. Army. He attended the University of Illinois for Management and Accounting and graduated from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. Bud was employed as a manpower specialist for the Job Training Division. He retired in 1999 on the last day of the century. Bud was known as "Mr. Fix-It" and had a garage full of lawnmowers, snow blowers and various motors. He also enjoyed traveling and "knowledge acquisition". He was preceded in death by his parents and infant son, Christopher. He is survived by his wife, Linda Johnston of Springfield; three sons, Gregory (wife, Sandy) Johnston and Timothy (wife, Elisabeth) Johnston both of Springfield and Barney "Rob" Johnston of Fairfax, VA; one daughter, Michelle (husband, Wayne) Par of Suffield, CT; a stepson, Geoffrey Shepard of Springfield; a stepdaughter, Melissa (husband, Ted) Starrick of Springfield; 8 grandchildren; three brothers, Don (wife, Sally) Johnston of Reno, NV, James (wife, Roslind) Johnston of Aurora, CO and Richard (wife, Pam) Johnston of Chester, IL; and several nieces and nephews. Cremation will be accorded by Butler Cremation Tribute Center following ceremonies. Family will receive friends from 3:30 to 5:45 p.m. on Thursday, August 27, 2009 at Kirlin-Egan and Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield. Funeral ceremonies will follow at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 27, 2009 with Rev. Donald Peck officiating. Private inurnment will be at Oak Ridge Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, Midwest Affiliate, Memorial & Tributes Lockbox, 3816 Paysphere Circle, Chicago, IL 60674, or to the American Kidney Fund, 6110 Executive Blvd., Ste. 1010, Rockville, MD 20852-9813.