Bert T. Johnston

Bert Thomas Johnston, 86, of Danville, passed away at 9:15 PM on February 25, 2013 at Danville VA Illiana Healthcare System. He was born on August 20, 1926 in Grand Junction, Michigan, the son of Bert and Helena (Williams) Johnston. He married Dawn A. Davenport on August 1, 1947 in Bloomingdale, MI. She preceded him in death on October 30, 1994. They had two children, Jacqueline (Jim) Devenport and B. Thomas (Carol) Johnston, they survive. He married Carol (Bahls) Toy on May 24, 1997 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Danville. She survives. Surviving him are his children, wife, one brother- Robert (Marilyn) Johnston, two brother in laws- Gene Bahls and Max Davenport, one sister in law- Vivian Johnston, one step-daughter- Kristin (Steve) Baumgartner, one stepson- Dr. Martin (Tracy) Toy, five grandchildren- Jason Schaafsma, Christopher (Brandy) Schaafsma, Jessica (Steve) Sherwood, Ashley (Levy) Stout and Nicole Johnston, step grandchildren- Roxie Powell and Clint Powell, ten great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Bert was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers- Herbert, Leslie and Frederick Johnston. Bert graduated from South Haven, MI high school and joined the U.S. Navy. He served during WWII and was discharged in 1946. He attended Western Michigan University and graduated from the University of Michigan in 1953 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He worked for the Glenn L. Martin Company on development of the B-57D aircraft in Baltimore, MD and the development of the Titan Ballistic Missile in Denver, CO. He later moved into marketing and served several companies in an executive position as Sales Manager and V.P. of Sales and Marketing. He retired in 1993 from Pertec Computer Corporation. He served two terms as Vice President of Immanuel Lutheran Church of Danville. He enjoyed family and friends, NASCAR racing (as a spectator) and flying radio controlled aircraft. A Celebration of Bert's Life will be held on March 1, 2013 at 11:00 AM at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Danville with Pastor Michael Heidle officiating. A visitation will be held onFebruary 28, 2013 from 4:00-7:00 PM at Sunset Funeral home and Cremation Center, A Life Celebration Home in Danville. Burial will take place at Sunset Memorial Park in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Memorials can be made in Bert's name to Immanuel Lutheran Church. Please join Bert's family in sharing photos, videos and memories of him through his tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com