Mervin Dean Johnston
January 9, 1951 – December 24, 2020

Mervin Dean Johnston, 69, of Boone, Iowa, passed away at home on Thursday, December 24, 2020. He was born on January 9, 1951 in Carroll, Iowa, the son of Lavern and Lavina (Ratashack) Johnston.

He attended school in Audubon, Iowa and graduated in 1969. He served in the Army and received the National Defense Services Medal for Marksman M-16. He attended 4 years of college at Nebraska Christian College in Papillion, NE to become a minister. He was a minister in Anthon, Iowa for 2 years before moving to Ames, Iowa. He worked at the Iowa DOT making signs, the Ames Laboratory on Iowa State Campus before becoming a Public Safety Officer for Iowa State University for almost 41 years.

Mervin was happily married to his wife Shari (Zenor) Johnston for almost 20 years. His favorite things included traveling with his wife Shari, spending time with family & friends, camping, fishing, the Cyclones, playing cards, his cats, auctions, and garage sales.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lavern & Lavina Johnston, and sister-in-law Kathy Johnston.

Survivors include his wife Shari Johnston of Boone, IA; Children: Amy Johnston of Nevada, IA; Michelle (Matthew) Cushman of Ankeny, IA; Jerryn Johnston of Portland, OR; Shalin (Angela) Kowalke of Story City, IA; Shaun (Abbie) Kowalke of Ridgeway, SC; Kenya (Cory) Arrants of Ames, IA, and Kary Kowalke of Ames, IA. Grandchildren: Hayley, Ashton, Jackie, Abigail, Britton, Olivia, Cory, Preston, Mila, Mya, Sammy, Calvin, and Antonio. Great-grandchildren: Beau, Koda, and Mavis. Brother, Steve Johnston of Audubon, IA; nephew, Jeremy Johnston of Audubon, IA; niece, Leah (Mike) Hemmingsen, and several great-nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested to the American Cancer Society Colorectal Cancer Research and can be sent to C/O Schroeder-Stark-Welin Funeral Home, P.O. Box 116, Boone, IA 50036.

Funeral services for Mervin will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 29, 2020 at Schroeder-Stark-Welin Funeral Home with Pastor Tom Mason officiating. Visitation with the family present will be from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service on Tuesday, December 29, 2020 at Schroeder-Stark-Welin Funeral Home. Burial will take place after the funeral service at Linwood Park Cemetery in Boone. Face masks and social distancing will be required.