Ronald Johnston

Age 81, of Portage, Michigan passed after a battle with pulmonary fibrosis. Ron was born and raised in Kalamazoo, Michigan, the first of two children to Elmer and Rosaline Johnston. He graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School and then attended art school in Chicago to become a commercial artist where he eventually owned his own studio "Johnston Art & Design". Although he was retired from his commercial art business, he continued to stay busy designing houses and remodels. Ron loved wooden boats and would spend a lot of time during winters sanding, painting and varnishing getting ready for the following summer. He enjoyed the outdoors, including camping with his family and friends and hunting and fishing with his grade school buddies (JB Jennings, Tom Schaberg and Thurm Bryant) that he continued to stay close with. Ron was an avid hockey player and played in an over 40 league for years and enjoyed watching his kids play and the Detroit Red Wings. Ron and Elaine enjoyed traveling to all the grandkids sporting events. He also looked forward to winter to travel south to Alabama and Florida to see all of his "snow bird" friends and family to fish and enjoy a cocktail. Ron is preceded in death by parents, Elmer and Rosaline Johnston and stepson Tim Hamming. Ron is survived by his wife, Elaine Johnston, his brother Larry (Cathy) Johnston; sons Mark (Amy) Johnston, Greg (Barb) Johnston and Jason (Amy) Johnston; step daughter Jill (David) Ferry; and twelve grandchildren; Jesse Johnston, Jenna (Chris) Santos, Brooke Johnston, Brent Johnston, Megan Johnston, Margaret Johnston, Carter (Kim) Ferry, Carson Ferry, Sidney Ferry, Samantha (Kiel) Reidenbach, Paul Hamming; and three great grandchildren; Natalie Reidenbach, Tim Reidenbach, and Henri Ferry. Our Husband, Our Dad, Our Grandpa WILL BE FOREVER MISSED! A memorial will be held later this summer with family and close friends to celebrate Ron's life.