Elizabeth "Betty" Johnston

MARION – Elizabeth "Betty" Lucille Johnston, 82, passed away at 4:35 a.m. Wednesday, May 1, 2013, in Parkway Manor in Marion. Betty was born Jan. 6, 1931, in Alma, to Carl and Mary (Britt) Hines. She married Camilous (Dick) F. Johnston Jr. in 1968 and he preceded her in death Oct. 12, 1984. She earned her bachelor of science degree in commerce from University of Illinois. She served in the U.S. Air Force for 12 years, where she earned the rank of Major. After her marriage, she worked as a certified professional secretary for Texas Instruments, until she retired. Betty was a member of First United Methodist Church of Marion. She was also a member of Eastern Star for the last 50 years. She always enjoyed family, friends, travel, reading and, in later years, her numerous bridge friends. Betty will be remembered as a dignified, classy lady who was gracious to all who were part of her world. She never forgot a birthday and the lovely cards that she sent are treasured by her friends and family. Betty is survived by her stepdaughter, Laura (Jeff) McKnight of Raleigh, N.C.; her brother, Colonel Olive Hines (Anne Marie) of Belleville; her sisters, Patricia Ann Miller of San Diego and Louise Annette Humble (Jerry) of Carterville; five nieces, Christa Hines of St. Louis, Maria Hines of Belleville, Lisa Becker and Kelly Miller of San Diego and Tammi Doolittle of Grand Rapids, Mich.; and four nephews, John Hines of Belleville, Shawn Miller of Gold Bar, Wash., James Gray of Dallas, and Joel Gray of Rochester, Minn. Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 4, in Alma Cemetery, with the Rev. Jeff VanDyke officiating. Military rites will be presented by American Legion of Salem. Family and friends are asked to meet directly at the cemetery. Blue Funeral Home in Marion is assisting the family with the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois, American Diabetes Foundation, First United Methodist Church of Marion, American Cancer Society or a charity of donor's choice.