Earl Eugene Johnston

Earl Eugene Johnston, 89, of East Peoria, IL passed away at 8:04 pm on Sunday, October 4, 2020 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria, IL. He was born on April 18, 1931 in Peoria, IL to Everett C. and Margaret (Gonsalves) Johnston. He married Alice M. Haedicke on July 10, 1954 in Peoria, IL.

Surviving are his wife Alice of East Peoria; children Theresa Johnston and Art (Sandra) Johnston both of East Peoria; grandchildren Jeremiah “Jake” (Anna) Johnston, Andrea (Adam) Watson, and Rachel Johnston; great-grandchildren Shawn, Tyler, and Jason Johnston, Logan, Brody, and Katelyn Watson, and Davian and Rae Marie Smith; great-great-grandchildren Vanessa and Raiden Johnston; and siblings Gary Johnston of Peoria and Shirley Valenti of Oklahoma City, OK. He was preceded in death by infant daughter Margaret, infant grandson Riley, six brothers, and one sister.

Earl was a U.S. Army Veteran serving during the Korean War where he was awarded a Purple Heart. He was a heavy equipment operator for Peoria Park District, retiring after 35 years. He was a member of Mt. Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church in Peoria, the East Peoria VFW Post 2078, and the Spring Bay American Legion Post 1115. Earl enjoyed working in his shop and on his farm, driving his golf cart, and going out with his buddies for coffee. He loved his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, October 8, 2020 at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church with Reverend Barry Long officiating. Visitation will be held from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm on Wednesday, October 7, 2020 at Mason Funeral Home Germantown Hills Chapel. Burial will be in the Haedicke Family Cemetery in East Peoria with military rites accorded. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, 908 West Hanssler Place, Peoria, IL 61604 or to the Haedicke Family Cemetery, c/o Lucille Haedicke, 190 Ten Mile Creek Road, East Peoria, IL 61611. Online condolences at www.masonfuneralhomes.com.

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