Samuel R. Johnston, age 87, of Hastings, Michigan passed away Wednesday, April 17, 2013, at Pennock Hospital in Hastings, Michigan. He was born in Harlingen, Texas on February 11, 1926, the son of Horace and Beulah (Troup) Johnston. Samuel attended DeVilbiss High School in Toledo, Ohio, graduating in 1944. He honorably served in the US Navy Armed Guard during World War II from 1944 until 1946. Samuel married Monica Sullivan on May 29, 1948. He was a member of the St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church and was a devoted Catholic. Samuel was employed by the Grand Rapids Police department from July 29, 1947 until his retirement on February 6, 1986. He was a National Champion pistol shot. Samuel earned the "Distinguished" medal for his pistol shooting, the highest medal attainable. He provided gun safety education to school aged children and also served as a school safety officer. Samuel loved the outdoors, especially when he could spend time outside with friends and family. His hobbies included hunting and reloading ammunition. Samuel will be lovingly remembered for all his legendary stories. Samuel was preceded in death by his parents, Horace and Beulah Johnston; brothers, Raymond, Bill and Don; sisters, Mildred and Lucy and son, Thomas. Samuel is survived by his wife of 64 years, Monica Johnston; daughter, Madelyn (Dan) Wolf; son, John (Maureen) Johnston; daughter-in-law, Terri Johnston and Cheryl Johnston; son, Tim (Lori) Johnston; grandchildren, Patric Wolf, Carrie (Steve) Schumacher, Tyler, Adam, Zachary (Melissa), Brandi Johnston, Sean (Shannon) and Travis Johnston, Jennifer, Michael, and Ryan Johnston; great grandchildren, Alexus Garrow, Alexandra Johnston, Kameron Rivett, Lenae Gue; and many nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held Friday, April, 19, 2013 from 2 - 4 pm and 6 - 9 pm with a Rosary being held at 8:30 pm at the Girrbach Funeral Home in Hastings. A Funeral Mass will be held Saturday, April 20 at 12:00 pm at the St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, 805 S. Jefferson, Hastings, Michigan. Fr. Richard Altine, Celebrant. Interment will take place at Rosedale Cemetery in Grand Rapids with full military honors. Memorial contributions may be made to the Thin Blue Line, P.O. Box 415, Howell, MI 48844.

Published in Grand Rapids Press on April 19, 2013