Paul Johnston

Paul H. Johnston, 73, a longtime Webster City educator and coach, died April 28, 2011 at Paula J. Baber Hospice House in Fort Dodge, Iowa. A celebration of Paul's life will take place on Tuesday May 3, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. at Asbury United Methodist Church in Webster City, Iowa, with Rev. Linda Bibb officiating. Burial will be in the Graceland Cemetery. Visitation will be at Foster Funeral and Cremation Center on Monday evening from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and at the church prior to the service. Graveside military rites will be conducted by American legion Post # 191. Paul Hunter Johnston, son of Niles and Evelyn Lindberg Johnston, was born December 7th, 1937 in Odebolt, Iowa. He received a B.A. from Buena Vista College in 1960, and an M.A. from Northeast Missouri State in 1969. He was a Sergeant in the United States Army beginning in 1960 and served as a computer programmer at the Pentagon. He began teaching mathematics in the Webster City school system in 1962. He was passionate about athletics, and coached a number of different middle school and high school sports. He taught for 34 years in the Webster City school district and retired in 1996. After many years of being a bachelor, he met the perfect partner, Sharon McCormick Mahan and married her on July 23, 1977 at West Des Mones. Paul is survived by his wife, Sharon; son and daughter-in-law, Scott and Kristy Mahan of Cedar Rapids; daughters and sons-in-law, Krista and Tracy Claude of Prescott, WI; Katrina and Mat Johnson of Ankeny; grandchildren Connor and Colin Mahan, Dalton and Riley Claude, Payton and Camden Johnson; sister and brother-in-law, Polly and David Johnson of Louisville, KY; nephews Scott (Vonnie) Johnson and Todd (Lee) Johnson, niece, Betsy Johnson and 6 great nieces and 2 great nephews. Paul was preceded in death by his parents. Paul was a member of Asbury United Methodist Church, Main Street Kiwanis, and the National Antique Oldsmobile Club, along with several education, mathematics and environmental organizations. He enjoyed coaching a variety of sports including tennis, softball, baseball and football and was a Red Cross swimming instructor. In addition to mathematics, he also taught photography. He video-taped Lynx and I.C.C.C. football games, was the starter for Lynx track meets and was the audio visual coordinator. Paul liked to stay busy and had many hobbies including photography, carpentry, golf, creating stained glass pictures, solving puzzles, and he absolutely loved antique automobiles. Before his illness, he enjoyed time with friends, and would spend each afternoon at Hy-Vee having great conversation over coffee. Paul had been a resident of Southfield Wellness Community since February of 2007. Memorial gifts will be used to establish a college scholarship in Paul's name for a Webster City High School student majoring in Math or Science Education. A memorial scholarship fund has been set up in Paul's honor at Webster City Federal Bank. Write a personal tribute or light a virtual candle for the Johnston family at www.fosterfuneralandcremation.com.