Janice R. “Jan” Johnston, 75, of Springfield, passed away on May 11, 2018 at her residence. She was born on February 17, 1943 in Lacrosse, Wisconsin to Howard and Ruby Ekern Skilbeck. Jan married Jeff Johnston in Urbana, Illinois on November 27, 1963 and he survives.

Mrs. Johnston is also survived by her children: Julia (Larry) Mraz of Riverton and Jason (Beckie) Johnston of Springfield, two brothers: Wayne (Debbie) Skilbeck of Springfield and Jerry (Debbie) Skilbeck of Loami, one sister-in-law Dianne Skilbeck and nine grandchildren: Michael, Bernadette, Joseph, Christopher, Jack, Mary Gabrielle and Elizabeth Mraz and Joshua and Charlotte Johnston. She was preceded in death by her brother Ron Skilbeck.

Jan taught at Washington Middle School, Feitshans and Lincoln Land Community College. She worked in real estate with Marty Baptist, Charlie Robbins and Ron Ladley and was very proud to have sold one city block to St. John’s Hospital for their expansion projects. Jan self-published her science fiction novel Dora’s Gate and she had written over one hundred articles for Christian Science Publications. Jan wrote several manuscripts and operated her own website thestillwaters.net which consisted of spiritual writings. In addition, Jan served as the Communications Director for Representative Josephine Oblinger’s last House campaign. Jan loved Elvis and always believed the King lived forever. Now she knows.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00am on Saturday May 19, 2018 at Bisch Funeral Home West, 2931 Koke Mill Road. Burial will be private at Camp Butler National Cemetery. The family will meet friends from 5:00pm-7:00pm on Friday at Bisch West. Memorial contributions may be made to Central Illinois Food Bank and please visit the online “Life Remembered Story” at www.bischfuneralhomewest.com.