Cecil served in the United States Army during The Vietnam War, from March of 1969 until his honorable discharge in November of 1970, serving overseas for 14 months.  Following his return to the states Cecil began working various construction jobs.  A career path he would follow his entire life.  Cecil retired as the piling Superintendent of L. G. Barcus and Sons Construction in 2011.  

Cecil married Dona Herman on February 17, 1978.  The couple lived in the Platte City area until moving to Bedford, Iowa in 1994.   He had been to the Bedford area many times previously, hunting pheasants and quail, and loved it.  

Cecil had many hobbies including gardening, hunting, fishing, training bird dogs, tinkering on things, sharing his opinion, drinking coffee and visiting with folks.  Cecil loved children, especially his nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews. He loved holiday reunions, especially the 4th of July.  

Preceding Cecil in death were his parents, Emmitt “Pete” and Gladys Johnston; father and mother-in-law, Toby and Jean Herman; sister, Juanita (Frank) Boydston; brothers, Walter (Patricia) Johnston, Robert Johnston; sister-in-law, Vicky Stelljes; brother-in-law, Stephen Stelljes; nieces, Mary Sue Siard, Terri (Scott) Thompson and Debra Boydston.  

Left to cherish Cecil’s memory are his loving wife, Dona Johnston; brother, Harold (Janice) Johnston; sisters, Mildred (Ronnie) Marts and Pearl (Leonard) Marts; along with many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, cousins, other relatives and a host of friends.