Jack Johnston Obituary

Jack Byrkit Johnston, 87, of Vandalia, Illinois, passed away Saturday, May 31, 2025. Visitation will be held from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at First United Methodist Church in Vandalia, IL. A memorial service will follow with Pastor Curtis Flake officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorials be made to First United Methodist Church of Vandalia, Coldwater Conservation Foundation (c/o Tom Whitaker, 214 Peeke Avenue, Kirkwood, MO 63122) and Kaskaskia College Foundation (27210 College Road, Centralia, IL 62801). Miller Funeral Home, Vandalia, IL, is in charge of arrangements. Online memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.millerfh.net. Mr. Johnston was born November 27, 1937, in Evanston, IL, the son of Aubra "Jack" Boone and Helen Prinzler (Byrkit) Johnston. He grew up in Mt. Prospect, IL, and attended local public school, was active in sports and school government, serving as President of Student Council and Debate Team. After high school, he attended DePauw University in Greencastle, IN, from 1955 -1959, was a member and officer of Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity, and lettered in track and field. He later attended University of Illinois Law School in Urbana, IL from 1959 -1962, graduating with a JD degree. Jack married Janet "Jan" Ruth McAdam on August 19, 1961, in Normandy, MO. He joined the Vandalia, IL Law Firm of Burnside and Dees in the summer of 1962. Jack also served on active duty and in the US Army Reserves in local tank corps from 1962 to 1968. He retired as a senior partner at Burnside, Johnston & Connor Law Office in Vandalia. Jack was very active in the community. He joined the Vandalia Rotary Club in 1968 and served as President in 1975. He was also a member of the Vandalia Jaycees in the 1960's and early 1970's. Jack was one of the founders and early Presidents of Historical Vandalia Inc. He was an active member of Vandalia First United Methodist Church for 60 years. In the mid 70's, he was a Boy Scout Troop leader and later coached Junior Pro Basketball in the early 80's. For many years he was the Chairman of the March of Dimes and President of Vandalia Youth League K-8 Baseball. Alongside his wife Jan, they coached high school girls softball. Jack was also a member of the Kaskaskia College Foundation as a Director and Officer for 47 years, serving as Secretary and President during some of that time. He was Co-Chair of Kaskaskia College Vandalia Campus Campaign resulting in the current Vandalia Campus. Active in all aspects of Civil Litigation, Jack served as attorney for multiple corporations and municipalities in Fayette and Marion Counties, City Attorney for Vandalia for 50 years, and served on the Board of Directors of First National Bank of Vandalia, IL for a decade. Jack enjoyed playing and watching tennis, walking and gardening with neighbors and friends. He spent time reading history, biography, philosophy, and spy novels. Jack and Jan were avid travelers; Jack had visited all 50 states and over 37 countries, documenting each trip through his love of photography. He is survived by his Wife – Jan Johnston, of Vandalia, IL; Daughter – Julie Lombardi & Robert "Bob" of Middletown, PA; Son – Jeffrey Johnston & Amy, of Chesterfield, MO. Grandchildren – Mackenzie Lombardi, Keely Lombardi, Aubrey Johnston Meredith & husband, Tyler Meredith, Colin Johnston and Halle Johnston. He was preceded in death by his parents.