Francis E. "Johnny" Johnston, 88, of Roscoe, IL, went to be with the Lord, Saturday evening, July 24, 2021 surrounded by his loving family. He was born April 25, 1933 in New Canton, IL, the son of Elden and Lula (Campbell) Johnston. Francis graduated from high school and went on to proudly serve in the United States Navy from 1950-1954; he was stationed in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. He married his sweetheart, Annette Zirretta on April 30, 1955 in Chicago. Francis worked as a bus driver for the Chicago Transportation Authority for 40 years, retiring in 1996. He was a faithful member of Central Christian Church in Beloit, WI. Francis enjoyed going to the Arlington Park Horse Races. He was an outdoorsman who liked fishing and hunting in his younger years. Francis loved singing and woodworking. Most of all, he adored his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Francis was the patriarch of our family and will truly be missed.
Francis is loved by his wife of 66 years, Annette; children, Timmy (Jeanie) Johnston, Cheryl (Steve) Wyatt, Brenda (Jasper) Herron, Terry (Lisa) Johnston and David (Denise) Johnston; grandchildren, Michelle (Jason) Finefield, Teresa (Cris) Kodiak, Michael (Kirsten) Wyatt, Rebecca Rydell, Joshua (Erin) Herron, Holly Heller, Daniel (Kadie) Herron, Ashlee Herron, Vinny Herron, Jewelissa Herron, Jordan (Dave Elliott) Johnston, Derek Johnston, Alexandra Johnston, Luke Johnston, Emma Johnston, and Wesley Johnston; great-grandchildren, Kylie, Morgan, Kate, Joey, Carson, Parker, Bennet, Elizabeth, Chloe, Zach, Abby, Alison, Gavin, Kennedy, Tessa, Elyse and Evelyn; sister, Doris Wallace; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his infant daughter, Linda Sue, his parents, and siblings, Joe, Roy, Jack, Paul, Helen, Junior and Emma Rae.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Heartland Hospice for their loving and compassionate care of Francis and the family.
A visitation will be held from 10-11:00 a.m., Tuesday, August 3, 2021 at Advantage Funeral Home, 7000 W. State St, Rockford, IL 61102 with a memorial service to begin at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Central Christian Church. To share a condolence, please visit www.Advantagefunerals.com.
