Gary Johnston, 80 of rural Montezuma, passed away peacefully on Wednesday evening, March 31, 2021 at the Brooklyn Community Estates. A Graveside service will be held at 2:00 pm Saturday, April 3, 2021 at the Golden Rod Cemetery in Deep River with military rites. No visitation is planned. Holland-Coble Funeral Home of Montezuma is in charge of arrangements.

Gary Thomas Johnston, the son of Vesta and Leona (McConnell) Johnston, was born on September 12, 1940 on the farm near Montezuma. He graduated from Montezuma High School in 1958 and then attended Parson's College for a year. Gary enlisted with the United States Army in 1961. Following his honorable discharge in 1964, Gary returned home to farm near Montezuma and continued to serve with the Army Reserve until 1967. Gary also worked for Goss in Cedar Rapids, Montezuma Manufacturing and a print shop in Marengo before moving to Florida. While in Florida, Gary worked for the Sarasota School system delivering mail. In 2007, Gary retired and returned to the farm near Montezuma.

He was a member of the First Presbyterian Evangelical Church in Montezuma, a member of the Blakely-Stevens American Legion Post #169 in Montezuma; a member of the Masonic Lodge No. 174 and was also a member of the Shriners. Gary enjoyed pheasant hunting, sitting in his garage smoking his cigarettes and enjoyed his hibiscus plants while living in Florida. He was also an avid Iowa Hawkeye fan.

Gary will be remembered by his step daughter, Becky (Roger) Mouchka of Newton; a granddaughter, Jennifer Mouchka of Newton; a grandson, Craig (Kelsie Goodman) Mouchka of Des Moines; great grandchildren, Madilynn and Riley of Newton; two sisters, Marilyn Goodlow of Brooklyn and Darlene Baltisberger of Grinnell and many other nieces, nephews, great friends and neighbors.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents, a brother-in-law, Wilbur Baltisburger and a niece, Diane Goodlow.