Marvin P. Johnston, 86, of McCune, passed away at 7:48 p.m., Sunday, March 26, 2023, at Ascension Via Christi in Pittsburg.
Marvin Phillip Johnston was born on October 2, 1936, to Owen and Mabel S. (Laird) Johnston in rural McCune. He grew up and attended school in rural McCune, graduating from McCune Rural High School in 1954.
On September 30, 1956, Marvin and Sara L. Olson were united in marriage at Sara's parents' home in rural McCune. The couple lived near the farm where Marvin was born until the passing of his father. They then moved back to the house where he was born, where they have lived since. Marvin farmed and raised livestock his entire life. He also enjoyed working on machinery, and in 2007, Marvin won the Farm Progress Show Inventors Challenge with the chainsaw caddie he invented.
A talented and avid trumpet and cornett player, Marvin was offered a music scholarship from Pittsburg State University upon his high school graduation, but instead decided to farm and raise livestock. He enjoyed playing the trumpet throughout his entire life.
He was a lifelong member of the McCune First United Methodist Church, where he taught youth and adult classes and served as chairman of the church council for many years. He was a founding member of the McCune-Girard Young Farmers and was a member of the McCune Lions Club. Over the years, Marvin also served on the U.S.D. 247 School Board, the McCune Co-op Board, and the Cherokee County Extension Council Board.
Survivors include:
His loving wife of 66 years – Sara, of the home
One son – Martin Johnston, and his wife, Pam, of Berryton, Kansas
Two daughters – LeAnn Johnston of McCune, Kansas
Tara Underwood and her husband, Van, of McCune, Kansas
One son-in-law – Joe Abrams of Leawood, Kansas
Six grandsons – Kyle Johnston; Scott Johnston and his wife, Lauren; Brandon Johnston; Jeffrey Johnston; Phillip Underwood and his wife, Molly; and Eric Underwood
He was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Diane Abrams, in 2017; two brothers, Clyde Johnston and Ira Johnston; and three sisters, Edna Leigh, Lois Amos, and Nadine Mullen.
The funeral service will be at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, April 1, 2023, at the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons. Burial will follow at the McCune Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.
Memorials are suggested to the McCune Methodist Church. These may be left at or mailed to the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357.
Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com.
