Margaret M. Gearhart Johnston
June 24, 1902 — September 28, 2003
Margaret Gearhart Johnston, 101, died Sunday morning at West Ridge Care Center in Cedar Rapids. Services will be 1:30 p.m. Thursday, October 2, 2003, at Springville Presbyterian Church by Rev. Barry Ensign-George with burial at Springville Cemetery. Friends may call at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Center in Marion from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday.
A lifelong resident of Springville, Margaret was born in Cedar Rapids, June 24, 1902, to Dr. George W. and Susan Merriam Gearhart. She attended Grinnell College and was a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of Iowa where she obtained a master?s degree. She taught history at University High School in Iowa City and several other Iowa high schools and Eagle Grove Community College. She married Lee Andrew Johnston August 28, 1930. He died in 1986. She was a member of the Springville Presbyterian Church and the "Monday Club?, the Springville federated women?s club. She was Worthy Matron of Love chapter of Eastern Star and was Chair of the Education Committee of the Iowa Federated Women?s Clubs. She served on and was president of the Springville School Board and the Linn County Board of Education.
She is survived by a sister, Laura Smith Fagle of Piedmont, California; her son, Dr. David G. Johnston (Gerry) of Solon; and four grandsons, Steve (Cristie) of Edwardsville, Illinois, Scott of Hiawatha, Jeff (Prudence) of Swisher, and Dan (Lisa) of Cedar Rapids.
She is also survived by a sister-in-law, Mrs. Merriam Gearhart; and six great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; a brother, Dr. Merriam Gearhart; and a sister, Esther Leedham.
A memorial fund has been established in Margaret?s memory.
A lifelong resident of Springville, Margaret was born in Cedar Rapids, June 24, 1902, to Dr. George W. and Susan Merriam Gearhart. She attended Grinnell College and was a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of Iowa where she obtained a master?s degree. She taught history at University High School in Iowa City and several other Iowa high schools and Eagle Grove Community College. She married Lee Andrew Johnston August 28, 1930. He died in 1986. She was a member of the Springville Presbyterian Church and the "Monday Club?, the Springville federated women?s club. She was Worthy Matron of Love chapter of Eastern Star and was Chair of the Education Committee of the Iowa Federated Women?s Clubs. She served on and was president of the Springville School Board and the Linn County Board of Education.
She is survived by a sister, Laura Smith Fagle of Piedmont, California; her son, Dr. David G. Johnston (Gerry) of Solon; and four grandsons, Steve (Cristie) of Edwardsville, Illinois, Scott of Hiawatha, Jeff (Prudence) of Swisher, and Dan (Lisa) of Cedar Rapids.
She is also survived by a sister-in-law, Mrs. Merriam Gearhart; and six great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; a brother, Dr. Merriam Gearhart; and a sister, Esther Leedham.
A memorial fund has been established in Margaret?s memory.
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