Donald Johnston, age 59, of Los Angeles, California, and formerly of Huron, died Thursday, October 16, 2008, at his home.

His funeral service will be at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, October 30, at First United Methodist Church. Burial will be at Restlawn Memory Gardens Cemetery with Military Rites by the Huron Veterans Council.

Visitation will be Wednesday from 1-8 p.m. at the Welter Funeral Home; or Thursday afternoon one hour prior to the service at the church.

Donald Lee Johnston was born on April 4, 1949, to Cleo and Gladys (Hamilton) Johnston in Huron, SD. He received his education here and graduated from Huron High School in 1967.

On July 6, 1967, he entered the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam War and served in Vietnam, Okinawa, and the Philippines. During his 4-year military career he was awarded the following medals: Combat Action Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal 1st Award, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal w/3 Stars, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross w/Palm and Frame, and the Rifle Sharpshooter Badge. He was honorably discharged on July 5, 1971.

He returned home and worked as a policeman in Woonsocket from 1971-1974. He then attended Huron College full-time and graduated 'summa cum laude' in 1978 with a degree in criminal justice. During his college years he worked as a dispatcher for the Highway Patrol.

Following graduation he moved to Los Angeles, CA, and worked for Rotor Rooter Company for 1 year; Otis Elevator Company for 13 years; and for the last 16 years in the payroll office for the Los Angeles School District. Don was a lifetime member of the V.F.W. His many interests included military history, politics, famous crime-scene and battlefield sites, and traveling to other parts of the world.

He is survived by his parents, Cleo and Gladys Johnston of Huron; 1 brother, Larry (Dawn) Johnston of Aberdeen; 1 sister, Linda (Ronald) Baum of Huron; 3 nieces, Christine (Heath) Mettler, Jennifer (Rob) Bortnem, and Becky (Jamey) Moeding; 2 nephews, Darren Baum USAF, and Daniel Lee Johnston; 2 great nieces; 5 great nephews; many aunts, uncles, and cousins.