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Raymond LeRoy Johnston, 86, of Osceola, was born Nov. 5, 1936, the son of LeRoy “Tad” Barnes and Wanda Arlene Henrich Johnston on a farm in Clarke County and passed from this life Wednesday, March 22, 2023, at Southern Hills Specialty Care. Raymond received his early education in Thayer schools, and when he got older, attended country schools near Murray. Later his parents moved to the Truro School District, and he graduated from Truro High School in 1954.
Raymond began dating his high school sweetheart, Betty Ann Matthews, and they became engaged as seniors while attending Truro High School and Murray High School. Raymond and Betty were united in marriage March 25, 1955, at the Murray United Methodist Church, and four children, Randall, Anne, Lynne and Sue, blessed this union of nearly 68 years.
Raymond devoted his life to working the land, farming and raising cattle and hogs. He and his dad also did custom farm work for many people over the years, cutting acres and acres of hay and chopping many tons of silage, as well as selling Moews Seeds for many years. He was a very proud member of National Farmers Organization, Citizens For Community Improvement and was a Madison Township Trustee since the 1970s. He became a member of the Murray Bible Church and was baptized in South River, north of Murray. Later the church became the Murray Baptist Church where he served many roles such as a deacon and song leader.
Raymond was very much a people person and never knew a stranger, striking up a conversation with just about anyone. He loved attending his grandkids’ events and watching football on Sundays. He loved being outdoors, taking pictures and enjoyed his quiet time when he would “go to see a man about a dog.”
Those relatives who preceded Raymond in death were his parents and grandparents Mary Lucretia Johnston and Clyde H. Johnston, Henry W. Henrich and M Grace Henrich.
Raymond leaves to cherish his memory wife, Betty Ann Johnston of Murray; son, Randall (Heidi) Johnston of Murray, daughters, Anne (Scott) Leathers of Ollie, Lynne (Kirk) Hauge of Osceola and Sue (Randy) Turner of Murray; grandchildren, Drew (Morgan) Johnston of Ames, William Johnston of Des Moines, Matthew Johnston of Hudson, Wisconsin, Megan Johnston (Troy Morgan) of Ankeny, Steven (Nancy) Hauge of New Virginia, Jenny (Ross) Bauer of New Virginia, Amy (Dan) Benge of Winterset and Landon Turner (Mikayla Massara) of Waxahachie, Texas; great-grandchildren: Auden, Everett, Eli, Bailey, Nickolas, Blake, Kaleb, Kaylee, Brock, Trax, Millie, Tripp, Nile, Norah, Oliver and Owen; sister-in-law, Linda Dubord of Osceola; niece, Lori Day of Des Moines, as well as many cousins, other relatives and many friends.
Services will be held 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 28 at Murray Baptist Church. The family will greet friends from 5-7 p.m. Monday, March 27 at Kale Funeral Home. A livestream of the service will be available at www.kalefuneralhome.com on Raymond’s tribute wall beginning at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday. Interment will be in the Murray Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be directed to Murray Baptist Church or Care Initiatives Hospice. Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.kalefuneralhome.com
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