Muriel Elizabeth Johnston

Muriel Elizabeth Johnston, 85, of Auburn, Illinois (formerly of Creston, Iowa), entered into eternal rest on September 4, 2026. Cremation rites have been accorded. A visitation will be held at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, September 21, 2026, followed by a funeral service at 11:00 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Creston, Iowa. Burial will follow at Graceland Cemetery in Creston.

Muriel (Tuttle) Johnston was born June 8, 1941, in Dexter, Iowa, the daughter of John L. and Dorothy M. (Hoover) Tuttle. Muriel was only 12 years old when her mother passed away; her grandmother, Nell Tuttle, stepped in to help raise Muriel and her sister, Carolyn. During her school years, Muriel attended 12 different schools across three states, ultimately graduating from Orient High School in 1959.

On June 14, 1959, Muriel was united in marriage to Paul E. McKinney in Orient, Iowa. In 1964, the family bought a farm south of Diagonal. This union was blessed with three children: Robin, Misty, and Troy. Paul and Muriel later divorced in 1979. On June 15, 1984, Muriel married Melford L. Johnston in Creston, Iowa. They later divorced in 2003.

Muriel was a dedicated worker throughout her life. She drove a bus for Diagonal Community Schools for five years and worked as a part-time meter reader for Rideta Electric Cooperative in Mount Ayr. She then served as the Financial Aid Director for Southwestern Community College (SWCC) from 1979 to 1993, continuing part-time at the college until December 1996. In her retirement, she stayed active working part-time for Southwest Foot and Ankle Center and Nurses on Call.

A woman of deep faith, Muriel was a former member and Deacon at the First Presbyterian Church in Creston. On August 26, 2012, she was baptized in Springfield, Illinois, and became a faithful member of Westside Christian Church.

Muriel had a passion for genealogy research, making scrapbooks for her grandchildren, traveling, and playing cards. She was a proud member of the 2 Adair County Anquestors Genealogy Society. Muriel will be deeply missed by her family and everyone whose lives she touched.

She is survived by her loving family, including her daughters, Robin (David) Stuva of Auburn, IL, and Misty Walkup (special friend, Jeff Spencer) of Leon, IA; her son, Troy McKinney of Creston, IA; and former son-in-law, Bob Walkup of Grant City, MO. She leaves behind six grandchildren: Justin (Kerry) Stuva, Whitney (Levi) Chesher, Tory (Chris) Parker, Shaun Walkup (friend Rachel), Josh (Danielle) McKinney, and Brooklyn McKinney; and seven great-grandchildren: Ryer and Rogan Parker, Wesley and Chloe McKinney, and Trapper, Beau, and Banks Stuva. She is also survived by two nephews, Brent Knedler of Brighton, CO, and Ronnie (Jennifer) Mullin of Orient, IA.

Muriel was preceded in death by her parents; her grandparents; her sister, Carolyn; and her great-grandson, Finn Stuva.

Memorial donations may be made to Adair County Anquestors Genealogy Society, Greenfield, Iowa.

Adair County Anquestors, c/o Greenfield Public Library, P.O. Box 328, Greenfield, IA 50849-0328.

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