Wallace E. Johnston

Wallace E. Johnston, 80, of Bella Vista, Ark., died Monday, April 28, 2014, at Circle of Life Hospice in Bentonville. He was born Sept. 11, 1933, in Paris, Ark., to Sidney M. and Mary A. (Leding) Johnston. He grew up in Kansas City, Mo., where he completed a bachelor of science (physics) degree at Rockhurst College. He married Martha A. Cushing on July 26, 1958, moving to St. Louis, then Kansas City, then Carrollton, Mo., and back to St. Louis following a career in management with Southwestern Bell Telephone Company, retiring after nearly 40 years. During the last 30 years with Southwestern Bell, his family lived in St. Charles, Mo., where he earned a second bachelor of science degree at Lindenwood College. Subsequent to retirement, he worked at Sachs Electric for five years until moving with his wife to Bella Vista in 1995. He loved working at the Bella Vista Library and playing golf. He liked to work puzzles. Survivors include his wife, Martha; and children, Matt Johnston of Springfield, Mo., Dan Johnston and his wife, Shea, of Lee's Summit, Mo., Janelle Cohen with her husband, Kelly, of DeSoto, Mo., and Theresa Johnston of Springdale, Ark.; his brother, Mike Johnston of Jacksonville, Fla.; sister-in-law, Cleota Johnston of St. Joseph, Mo.; sister, Marjorie Cushing SCL; and seven surviving grandchildren. Visitation will be April 30 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Bella Vista Funeral home. Rosary will be May 1 at St. Bernard Church at 9:30 a.m. and the funeral mass will follow at 10 a.m. He was a member of St. Bernard Catholic Church where he was active in the Knights of Columbus and the ushers. Memorials may be made to Bella Vista Public Library, 11 Dickens Place, Bella Vista, AR, 72714; St. Bernard Catholic Church in Bella Vista, 1 St. Bernard Lane, Bella Vista, AR 72715; and Circle of Life at Legacy Village, 1201 NE Legacy Parkway, Bentonville, AR 72712. Online condolence may be made at www.funeralmation.com.