Obituary of William Glenn Johnston

Glenn was born on November 15, 1935 to Isobel and Jack Johnston in Fairview, Alberta, but moved to Dawson Creek as a young child. He graduated from high school in 1954. He enjoyed playing basketball as well as coaching various basketball teams. Glenn was married to Helen Kobliuk and they had five children. Glenn later married Marie Schultheiss, and they have shared their lives for the past 31 years. Glenn loved sunshine and golfing and spent the winters with Marie from 2000 to 2003 in Palm Springs, California and 2003 to 2009 in Mesa, Arizona. Glenn started his working life with CN Telecommunications in the Fort Nelson, Watson Lake and Whitehorse areas. He then moved back to Dawson Creek and managed a truck stop before moving into the car business. He owned Johnston and Prestlien Volkswagen with his friends, as well as the Chrysler dealership in Dawson Creek. During this time he served as a volunteer fireman for seven years. He later moved into the oil patch business, acting as comptroller for Borek, Beattie and later, Pickell Construction as well as Operations manager for Kenn Borek Air. After leaving Pickell Construction in 1993, he was still intrigued by the financial world and completed the Canadian Securities course and a Financial Planning course. As a young man, Glenn joined the air cadets and learned to fly. He got his private pilot's license at 17. In 1992, he completed the float plane rally from Dawson Creek to Fairbanks, Alaska. This was part of the 50th anniversary of the building of the Alaska Highway. Glenn loved hunting and fishing and the dearest place on earth to him was the family cabin at One Island Lake. He spent two weeks last August there with Kim, and when Marie called to ask when he was coming home he said, "I am home." It is at the lake that his ashes will be scattered next summer. Glenn was predeceased by his parents, Jack and Isobel Johnston and nephew, Brian Jordan. Glenn will be lovingly remembered by Marie Johnston; daughter Cindy Olsen (Glenn) and their children Jessie and Keenan; son, Kim Johnston (Claudia); daughter, Karie Johnston (Wendy); daughter Heather Johnston (Darren) and their children Nicholas, Reece and Peterson; daughter, Glenna Armstrong (Ron) and their children Delaney and Lucas; sister, Jackie Hoffman; niece, Kathy Beck; nephew Michael Hoffman as well as cousins and many friends. Glenn passed away on Friday, February 12, 2010 at the age of 74 years. A memorial service was held on Friday, February 19, 2010, at 2:00 pm at Reynars Funeral Home in Dawson Creek; Reverend Marilyn Carroll officiated; Interment will be at a later date. For friends so wishing, donations may be made in memory of Glenn to the Cross Cancer Institute, Edmonton, AB or to the Salvation Army, Dawson Creek, BC.