Donald E. Johnston

Donald E. Johnston, 73, of Moline, died Saturday, August 7, 2021 at UnityPoint Health – Trinity, Rock Island.  A memorial service will be 9:00 am Thursday, August 12, 2021 at Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, 3030 7th Avenue, Rock Island.  A memorial visitation will be 4-7 pm Wednesday, August 11, 2021 at the funeral home.  Inurnment will take place at Rock Island National Cemetery, Arsenal Island, where military rites will be presented.  Memorials may be made in care of The ARC of the Quad Cities.

Don was born in Moline, Illinois on April 29, 1948, a son of Eugene “Sqeak” and Irene Swanson Johnston.  He graduated from Moline High School in 1966.  Don was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran serving during the Vietnam War.

He married Debbie Johnston with whom he had two sons, Donny and Jasen.  They later divorced.

Don worked as a business agent for the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150 District 8, Rock Island, Ill.  He also owned and operated JV Consulting – a mailings company.  

Don was elected Moline Township supervisor in 2005.  He was appointed to the county board in 2010 and elected that November, representing district 11.  He was very active in the Democratic party and served as the 17th Congressional Democratic state central committeeman.  Don also served as the Bi Labor Liaison for U.S. Senator of Illinois, Paul Simon.

Don was a member of the YMCA for forty-plus years.

Don was a busy man and worked extremely hard at the job at hand.  It was about five years ago he decided to buy himself a boat.  He became Captain of his ship, known as, “Cabin Fever.”  Don absolutely loved boating and never regretted it.  This awarded him much needed time with family and friends doing what he loved.

Those left to cherish his memory include his son, Jasen Johnston, Commerce City, Colo.; two-grandchildren; sister, Jane Johnston, Moline; and life-long friends, Pat Veronda.
He was preceded in death by his parents and son, Donny Johnston.

Online condolences, memories and expressions of sympathy may be left for the family at wheelanpressly.com

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