Bennie Johnston, Friendship. WI  (1937 - 2012)

March 21, 1937 - September 26, 2012
Bennie Johnston, 75, of Friendship, WI, passed away on Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2012, at his home surrounded by his family, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born on March 21, 1937, in Boscobel, WI, to Nathan, Sr. and Helena (Shawen) Johnston. He married Alfreda Hiller. They had six children. Their marriage ended in divorce. On Dec. 2, 1978, he married the love of his life, Patricia Ann Burrow. He worked for General Motors in Janesville for fourteen years. After that, he worked in sewer and water construction. He belonged to Local 464 of the International Union of North American Construction and General Labor. He retired in 1999, from Henshue Construction. He loved hunting, fishing, dancing, and spending time with family and friends. He enjoyed spending time with his best friend, Milly. He also loved his dogs.
Bennie is survived by his wife, Patricia of Friendship; two sons, Bennie (Denise) Johnston of Janesville, and Benjamin (Kim Bromley) Johnston of Friendship; four daughters: Pammie Johnston of Friendship, Rebecca Marszalec-McKittrick of S. Beloit, IL, Jodi Whitaker of Janesville, and Joni Johnston of Phoenix, Arizona; 16 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; two brothers, Nathan (Patricia) Johnston, Jr. of Janesville, and Richard (Eva) Johnston of Beloit; one brother-in-law, Jake Welch; and a special niece, Wendy Blancher.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Barrie Johnston; three sisters: Joscile Below, Marlene Smith, and Geraldine Welch; and one brother, Lonnie Johnston.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2012, at 1 p.m. at the SIME FUNERAL HOME in Readstown. Pastor Steve Fossum will officiate and burial will be in the Gays Mills Cemetery. Friends may call at the FUNERAL HOME in Readstown on Wednesday from 11 a.m. until time of services.
To Papa: We will always love and miss you too much, all around, and back again/Blaze and Bryce.
To Grandpa: Have a pigeon pie in Heaven from us/Brooke and Paige.
Online condolences may be posted at simefuneralforum.com.