Diana Johnston

Diana Lee Johnston

Of Hastings, died on October 25, 2019 at age 71. Diana was born in Hastings, Michigan on June 3, 1948, the daughter of George H. and Hazel W. (Wilson) Brown. She attended Welcome Corners School and graduated from Hastings High School in 1966. She earned a bachelor's degree in education from Michigan State University and a master's degree in education from Western Michigan University. She was a Hastings area schoolteacher for 32 years and retired in 2007. She married John Carl Johnston on July 3, 1971. She was in involved in the Hastings H.S. Choir, Art Club, and 4-H youth program. She loved singing, planting flowers, reading and spending time with her family and friends. Her grandchildren, nieces and nephews loved singing with her and listening to her read.

Diana was preceded in death by her parents, mother and father-in-law Ruth C. and Thomas L. Johnston, grandparents Harry and Tresa Brown and Emmett and Ethel Wilson, sister-in-law Patty Johnston, "Like a brother" David G. Clark, Sr., cousin Kellie Wilson Twining, and great nephew Jacob Kresh. She is survived by her husband, of 48 years, John C. Johnston, daughters Sarah Jane Johnston (Jafar Clemons), and Rebecca Brown Johnston (Joshua Lindsey), grandchildren Jayden, Humza, Jacquelynn, Zacharia, Nadiyah, and Sanayah, sister Kathy (Nick) Carter, Niece Taylor Carter, brothers and sisters-in-law Evelyn and John Koprivnikar, Thomas L. Johnston, Jr., William A. Johnston, James (Sherry) Johnston, Robert (Anne) Johnston, Jennifer (Karl) Schroeder, Rebecca (Jeff) Parker, sisters-in-law Elizabeth and Margie Johnston, nieces and nephews Kimberly (Dan) Kresh, Karen (Barney) Pierce, Thomas Koprivnikar, Tracy (Anthony) Zenobi, Kristin (Stacy) Neubecker, Matthew (Annette Prapasiri) Johnston, Abel Johnston, Daniel Johnston, James (Sarah) Johnston, Meg (Kevin) McGill, Erin (Tim) Miler, Martha (Eddie) Lubbers, Alec Johnston, Annie Johnston, Hannah (Adam) Jackson, Kailey Schroeder, Katie Parker, David (Maggie) Parker, and Annie Bundy, and many grand and great nieces and nephews.

Memorial Visitation will be from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, November 3, 2019 at First Presbyterian Church of Hastings 405 M-37, Hastings, MI 49058 and a Celebration of Life Service at 2:30 p.m. with Pastor Dan Birchfield and Dr. James Spindler officiating, luncheon to follow. Memorial contributions may be made to the Hastings Educational Enrichment Foundation C/O Hastings Area School System 232 W Grand St, Hastings, MI 49058 or Noah's Ark Preschool C/O First Presbyterian Church of Hastings. Arrangements provided by Girrbach Funeral Home, Hastings, Michigan. To leave online condolences visit www.girrbachfuneralhome.net.