Michael Allen Johnston

Michael Allen Johnston, age 68, of Sandoval, Illinois, passed away at 8:58 P.M. on Friday, June 5, 2020 at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital in Centralia, Illinois.  He was born on September 12, 1951, in Centralia, Illinois, the son of Robert Edward, Sr. and Venita Irene (Hobbs) Johnston.  He married Ruth Ann Garren on July 18, 1971, at Central City Baptist Church in Central City, Illinois and she survives him in Sandoval, Illinois.

In addition to his loving wife of 49 years, Mr. Johnston is survived by his children, Michael Allen Johnston II of Sandoval, Illinois and Jaime Toedte and husband John of  Centralia, Illinois; grandchildren, Natalie Toedte, Lacy Toedte and Brent Toedte; brothers, Terry  Johnston and wife Mystee of Central City, Illinois and John Johnston and wife Tonya of Central City, Illinois; sister, Polly Johnston and wife Kathleen of Centralia, Illinois and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Johnston is preceded in death by his sister, Susie Keller and brother, Robert Edward “Bob” Johnston, Jr..

Mr. Johnston was a former member of Central City Baptist Church in Central City, Illinois.  He was a member of the Centralia Masonic Lodge # 201 A.F. & A.M., Ainad Shriners Temple in East St. Louis, Illinois and Valley of Southern Illinois Scottish Rites in Belleville, Illinois.  He was an avid collector of lighthouses, sailing boats and sailing boats made out of spun glass.  Mr. Johnston loved going to car shows that mainly featured Mopar cars.  He purchased a Barracuda restoring it from start to finish, thus winning first place at a car show.  He cherished the time he spent with his family, especially getting together with his siblings at the holidays and going camping with them

Mr. Johnston started his trail of being a dedicated member of the Centralia/Central City Lions Club on February 1, 1983. Lion Johnston was a 36-year member of the Central City Lions Club and held multiple offices, including serving as Candy Day Chairman for over 20 years and was also a Lions Club President in 1986 and 2006.  He was selected by his fellow Lions members as Lion of the Year in 1997. Lion Johnston served as District 1-CN Governor during the Lions 2001-2002 year.  During his reign of District Governor, he almost had a full Cabinet of Governors present at the District 1-CN Convention in 2002.  He had been unable to attend the Lion meetings for the last several years, but he remained a member and dedicated supporter of the Central City Lions.

Mr. Johnston was known to be a hard worker.  He was employed as a mechanic at Hollywood Brand Candy in Centralia, Illinois for three years.   He was a plumber for the Illinois Central Railroad from 1979 until 1984.  He went on to be a cigarette salesman for Liggett and Myers Tobacco Company in Durham, North Carolina for 10 years.  Mr. Johnston was a truck driver for Earl L. Henderson Trucking for 6 months.  He retired in 2002 as cigarette salesman from R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company after five years of service.  He lived his whole life in Sandoval, Illinois.

Private Family Celebration of Life Services for Mr. Michael Allen Johnston will be held at the Moran Queen-Boggs Funeral Home in Centralia, Illinois with Pastor Wesley Miller officiating. As a result of current national health circumstances, friends are invited to join with Mr. Johnston’s family via Live Stream at www.moranfuneralhome.net on his obituary page at 2:00 P.M. on Thursday, June 11, 2020.  Friends may pay their respects to Mr. Johnston, sign the guest book or make a memorial contribution from 2:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. on Wednesday, June 10, 2020, at the Moran Queen-Boggs Funeral Home in Centralia, Illinois.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Johnston’s honor to the Centralia/Central City Lions Club, Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Southern Illinois or Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and will be received by the Moran Queen-Boggs Funeral Home at 134 South Elm Street in Centralia, Illinois.  Please view the online obituary, send condolences or share memories with Mr. Johnston’s family at www.moranfuneralhome.net or on the Moran Queen-Boggs Funeral Home’s Facebook page.

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