Ellen L. Johnston, 68

Ellen L. Johnston, 68, resident of St. Maries, died June 9, 2010, in St. Maries. She was born Sept. 17, 1941, to George and Clestia (Noel) Epler in St. Maries.

She grew up in St. Maries and graduated from St. Maries High School with the class of 1959. She married Jerry “Mike” Johnston on June 3, 1961, in St. Maries. She then went to work for the Benewah County Assessor’s office. She moved to Moscow in 1968. She went to work for the Latah County Auditor’s office two years later. She was appointed Latah County Clerk by the Latah County Commissioners in 1985. She was elected to that position during the next general election. She moved to Potlatch in 1992 and retired in 1996. She moved to Rathdrum in 2004 and back to St. Maries in 2007. She enjoyed cooking, fishing and camping.

She is survived by her husband, Mike at the family home in St. Maries; her son, Doug Johnston of Post Falls and daughter Kelly McBride of St. Maries. She is also survived by brothers, Philip Epler of St. Maries and John Epler of Ocean Park, Wash. Also surviving are sisters, Leona McCarter and Ruth Udager both of St. Maries, Dolly Germer of Moscow and Mary Anderson and Catherine Dorsey, both of Spokane, Wash. Also surviving are four grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

A potluck celebration of her life will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, June 14, 2010, at Cherry Bend Boat Park on Cottonwood Drive, near St. Maries. For information about the potluck call Danyell at (208) 310-1488.

Hodge Funeral Home, St. Maries, is entrusted with arrangements.