Joe Johnston

Joseph Albert Johnston, formerly of Prescott, passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013 at his home in Kissimmee, Fla., at the age of eighty-six years, ten months and five days.
Joe was born on April 21, 1926 in Casper, Wyo., the son of John Lewis and Elsie Bonita (Clarey) Johnston. In 1932, the Johnston family moved to Prescott, where Joe graduated from Prescott High School with the Class of 1943. After high school, he served in the Army Air Corps, playing in both the military and the special services bands. Following his discharge from the Air Force, Joe worked as a professional musician, playing clarinet and saxophone with bands around the country.
On Nov. 6, 1950, Joe was united in marriage to Ilene Marie Polson. After two years on the road with the band, the couple settled in Prescott in 1952, and two children were born to this union: Bonita Marian and Alan David. At this time, Joe purchased the Phillips 66 Service Station, which had been owned by his father-in-law. In 1965, Joe and Ilene sold the service station, and he was elected to the Adams County Treasurers post. He modernized the office with one of the states first computers, which he programmed himself. Gov. Robert Ray appointed Joe to the County Finance Committee in 1979, and Gov. Terry Branstad reappointed him to the committee in 1983. Joe served as Treasurer for 28 years, sitting on the executive board of the Iowa State Treasurers Association for 10 years, including two years as president.
Joe was a member of the Prescott United Church, where he served as choir director for many years. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Prescott for over fifty years. An avid outdoorsman and amateur radio operator, he was a devoted husband, father and grandfather.
Joe was preceded in death by his wife, Ilene Marie Johnston; his parents, John Lewis Johnston and Elsie Bonita Johnston; and his brother, Ronald Johnston.
Joe is survived by children Bonnie (Dennis) Price of Kissimmee, Fla., and Alan (Jane) Johnston of Raleigh, N.C.; grandchildren Jason (Michelle) Wilson, Brandi Beckett, Suzannah Johnston, Emily Johnston and Lela Johnston; and great-grandchildren Jake Wilson, Tom Wilson, Marley Beckett and Eli Beckett.