Sheldon G. Johnstone, 90, of Crookston, formerly of Staples, died Aug. 19, 2009 at RiverView Hospital in Crookston.

Funeral Services were held Aug. 24, 2009 at the United Methodist Church in Staples. Burial with military honors by Tri-County Post 124 of Motley was at Evergreen Hill Cemetery in Staples.

Arrangements were with the Brenny Funeral Home of Staples.

Sheldon was born Dec. 26, 1918, in Dutton, Mont., to George William and Leni Eva (Van Horn) Johnstone. He graduated from Staples High School in 1937; Sheldon was employed by Northern Pacific Railroad in Staples from the age of 19 until he retired in Jan. of 1978. He served his country during WWII in Europe and Africa with the 2nd Battalion 135th Infantry from April 23, 1941 until May 16, 1945. He married Evelyn Mae Vanderhoef of Staples on April 12, 1941. They raised their family on a farm south of Staples where he farmed along with working for the railroad. Sheldon and Evelyn shared 25 years of marriage before she died in 1967. On June 8, 1974, Sheldon married Agnes (Brolsma) Cowell, of Crookston,

Sheldon served on the Grievance Chairman of the Railroad Union and on the local school board. He was accomplished welder, and also enjoyed metal working, woodworking, farming, gardening, building rock walls, living on the lakes and wintering in South Texas.

Sheldon survived by his wife; three daughters, Alice (Willie) Harris, of Hondo, Texas, Linda Mae Mille of Alexandria; Donna (Terry) Zimmer, of Nelson; one son, David (Diane) Johnstone, of Browerville; three step-children, David (Karen) Cowell, of Durango, Iowa; Coleen (Jerry) Bitker of Halstad; Patricia (Mike) Danielson of Viroqua, Wisc.; 11 grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Evelyn; two brothers, Lloyd and Glenn; one sister, Leni; and one great-granddaughter.

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