Scott Steven Johnston, 63, died at 12:30 a.m. Monday, Sept. 28, 2015, at his home in Springfield.
Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, at New Hope Baptist Church in northwest Litchfield, 1303 N. 18th Avenue. The Rev. Roy Eller will officiate.
Gent Funeral Home in Alton is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Johnston was born on May 27, 1952, in Litchfield, the son of Carl E. and Gerry (Bowles) Johnston.
He had been an active member of the First Baptist Church in Litchfield since childhood and was involved in the Methodist Church while in Springfield. He was a hard worker and his work life began at age 16 when he was asked to work at Simpson’s Shoe Store by Harold Simpson.
Mr. Johnston graduated from Litchfield High School in 1970 and attended Eastern Illinois University for one and a half years and Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield for a number of years. While living there, he worked for Goldblatt’s. He then returned to Litchfield and opened a men’s clothing store, The Male Ego.
While in Litchfield he was president of the Litchfield Chamber of Congress a number of times. He helped to start Party in the Park and was a member of the Rotary Club. His life then led him to live in many cities in the U.S. as he became a district manager for a number of companies including Goody’s, Stein Mart and Burlington Coat Factory. He would open many new stores for each of them. At one time he had bought and opened two Thomas Kinkade Art Galleries in Madison, WI.
Mr. Johnston loved the south and was living in Charlotte, NC, when he had his first serious heart illness. He then returned to Springfield to live closer to his family and friends. He suffered another attack with his heart two months ago and was in intensive heart care at St. John’s for two weeks.
He is survived by his mother, Gerry; his sister, Pam (husband Ron) Norris; a brother, Tim (wife Kim) Johnston; two nieces and three nephews, Trisha (John) Norris Hoagland, Cameron (Jillian) Norris, Corey, Courtney and Christian Johnston; and two great-nieces and three great-nephews, Ava Hoagland, Jace Norris, Easton Hoagland, Brice Norris and Emma Norris.
Mr. Johnston was preceded in death by his father, Carl Johnston, on Aug. 27, 1984.
Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association or New Hope Baptist Church.
Online guestbook and information may be found at www.gentfuneralhome.com.
