Johnnie Chronister

CHARLESTON, Mo. -- Johnnie Lee Preston Chronister, 88, died Dec. 14, 2017, at the Charleston Manor.

Born Feb. 25, 1929, in Patton, son of the late Herbert Chronister and Rita McGregor Chronister, he had lived in Charleston most of his life where he was a former member of the Charleston Jaycees and a member of the Elm Street Baptist Church where he served as Sunday school director for over 20 years. He later became a member of the First Baptist Church of Bertrand where he served as a deacon. Following his graduation from high school, he attended business college in Paducah, Ky., and returned to work with Buck Farmer at the Ford Implement Company in Charleston a number of years prior to him opening his own business called Farm Parts. He later worked for Courtesy Ford Motor Company in Charleston for over 28 years until his retirement. He was a U.S. Army Veteran having served in the Korean War.

On Oct. 19, 1950, he married Jennie McCormick, who preceded him in death on Feb.18, 2005.

Survivors include: one son and daughter-in-law, Mark and Karen Chronister of Sikeston; one daughter and son-in-law, Apostle Deborah and Robert L. Byrne of Charleston; one sister, Tinker Atkins of Charleston; and six grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren.

Besides his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by five great-grandchildren and several brothers and sisters.

There is no visitation.

Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Monday at the I.O.O.F. Cemetery near Charleston.

Burial will follow with full military rites provided by the Missouri Military Honors Program.

McMikle Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences may be shared at www.mcmiklefuneralhome.com.