Jane Ellen Johnston

Jane Ellen (Derendinger) Oswald Johnston, 83, of Boonville, Missouri, passed away on Thursday, August 4, 2022, at University Hospital in Columbia. Her beloved sister was by her side. Visitation for Jane will be Sunday, August 28, 2022, from 1:00 to 2:00 pm at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Boonville. Celebration of life will begin at 2:00 pm with Pastor Joshua Ketelsen officiating. Inurnment will follow in Walnut Grove Cemetery in Boonville. Jane Johnston was born on July 18, 1939, the daughter of John Rudolph and Edna Sophia (Stock) Derendinger. She graduated from Boonville High School, and then attended Valparaiso University where she earned a BA in history and sociology. Jane continued her education at Roosevelt University in Chicago, Illinois. There she received her MA in sociology; after earning this degree, she enrolled in Loyola University, Chicago, where she received an MBA. Jane was employed by The John Marshall Law School in Chicago, Illinois (now University of Illinois- Chicago) for 41 years. She went from switchboard operator and bookstore manager to Associate Dean for Academic Services of the law school. As associate dean, she advised students in selecting courses, assigned faculty to the courses they would teach each semester, and, along with other associate deans, served as an advisor to the dean. She represented the law school at alumni gatherings around the country, and traveled to Lithuania, Czech Republic, China, and Taiwan on behalf of the law school. Following completion of her MBA in 1984, Jane began oil and watercolor classes at the Art Institute of Chicago. Later she studied pastels and scratchboard with the renowned art teacher Winnie Seibert. She had two solo exhibits of her work at The John Marshall Law school, and two solo exhibits at The Doederlein Gallery in Chicago. In 2014 Jane was made an honorary member of the Honolulu Rotary Club, and honorary member of Rotary International. Also, in 2014 she was given the Spirit of John Marshall Award, an award that is given to an employee who serves with distinction at the law school. Jane was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Boonville. For many years she was a faithful member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Chicago and served as its treasurer. Upon her return to Boonville, she reunited with Immanuel. In 1974 Jane married Bernard Oswald who preceded her in death in 1997. In 2005 she married Robert Gilbert "Gil" Johnston who preceded her in death in 2018. Also preceding Jane in death were her brothers John Edward and Kenneth William Derendinger, Sr. She is survived by her sister Doris (Jim) Dace; sisters-in-law Mary Derendinger, Linda Derendinger, and Jean Shea; honorary daughter Margaret (Steve) Eklund; nieces Penny (Gordon) Cain, Tammy Poulsen, and Kathleen Shea; nephews Kenneth Derendinger, Jr., Timothy (Wanda) Derendinger, Sr., John Quentin (Gayla) Dace, and John Phillip (Beth) Derendinger; and stepsons Ben (Leisa) Johnston and Iain (Elizabeth) Johnston. Jane was the beloved "Aunt Janie" to all her family, and she especially loved the children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren of her siblings and her husband.