Jimmie E. Johnston, 80, rural Edna, died Thursday, February 5, 2009, at his home following a short battle with acute leukemia.

He was born Aug. 9, 1928, near Bartlett to Vernon and Myrtle Layton Johnston. He was a 1946 graduate of Labette County Community High School in Altamont.

He was a farmer and stockman his entire life, and also worked various jobs during the winter months.

He was a member of the Bartlett United Methodist Church.

He and Lucile Darlene Allison were married March 28, 1948. She died on April 25, 1992. He and Betty Kimrey Testerman were married Aug. 9, 1998, at their home. She survives.

Other survivors include two daughters, Mona Marie Owens, rural Edna, and Mary Lea York, rural Thayer; two stepdaughters, Connie Wyckoff, Parsons, and Denise Hope, Bartlett; four grandchildren; seven step-grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; 10 step great-grandchildren; and two brothers, Paul Johnston, Lawrence, and Dale Johnston, Coffeyville.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Bennie Johnston, on Oct. 12, 2007.

Funeral will be 11 a.m. Monday at the Bartlett United Methodist Church. Burial will be in Lake Creek Cemetery under the direction of Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, Altamont.

The family will receive friends from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

Contributions to Bartlett United Methodist Church or Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice may be left at or mailed to Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 325, Altamont, KS 67330.