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Max Johnston, 80, of Festus, Mo., formerly of Creston, died Friday, Sept. 10, 2021, at Mercy Hospital-Jefferson, in Crystal City, Mo. A Celebration of Life service will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021, at Powers Funeral Home, 601 New York Ave. in Creston. Pastor Chuck Spindler will officiate. The service will also be livestreamed at powersfh.com under events.
Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery, south of Creston. Open visitation will be 2 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, family receiving friends 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Powers Funeral Home in Creston. Memorials will be established at a later date. Online condolences can be given on the tribute wall at www.powersfh.com.
Max Maynard Johnston, son of Carl W. “Mike” Johnston and Leah Mae (Antisdel) Johnston, was born Sept. 22, 1940, in Adair County. He graduated from Prescott High School in 1957.
On August 7, 1962, Max married Kae Marlene Zimmer in Des Moines. They first lived in the Des Moines area. In 1964, they moved to Bedford, and then in 1966 to rural Williamson, where together they farmed. Max operated Johnston Metals in Creston from 1978 to 1984. Max and Kae farmed until 1981, when they moved to Creston. Max worked as a welding supervisor for Fansteel/Wellman’s Dynamics. He then taught welding at Southwestern Community College, until he retired.
Max had a passion for motor home and motorcycle travel. In his younger years, Max and Kae made many trips by motorcycle to Colorado. Kae passed away in 2016. Max was united in marriage to Joan Fox in Festus, Missouri, Dec. 2, 2018.
They made their home in Festus, Missouri, as well as in Creston over the years.
Max was a member of Crest Baptist Church in Creston. He was formerly a member of the Christian Motorcycle Club and the Iowa Blacksmith and Welders Association.
Survivors include Max’s wife Joan Johnston of Festus, Mo.; three sons, Michael (Nikki) Johnston of Montrose, Colo., Kevin (Connie) Johnston of Simpsonville, S.C., and Stephen (Suzanne) Johnston of Creston; a daughter, Cynthia (Chuck) Thomas of New Market; nine grandchildren: Sophia DeJulio; Dane, Marissa, and Emma Johnston; Hannah Johnston, Ellie (Cort) Sandeman and Paul Johnston; Kirstie and Korbin Thomas; four great-grandchildren.
Max was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Kae in 2016, sister, Lola Baucom in 2015 and a brother Donald Johnston in 2007.