David Ellis Johnston (82), a resident of Carol Stream, IL, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Monday, June 15th, 2026 at Belmont Village in Carol Stream, Illinois, after a long battle with lymphoma and then dementia.

He was born February 23, 1944 in Cambridge, Massachusetts to Barbara(Pelley)Johnston and Douglas Carey Johnston.

David was a pastor's son and the eldest of 5 children. When he was 7, his parents left their church in Quincy, MA and moved to Nashville, TN. In 1957, the family settled in Miami, Florida as his father was called to pastor Sylvania Heights Baptist Church. David was very close to his maternal grandfather whom they called "Buppy". Buppy came to Miami to live with the family and built the Miami home that the family lived in. When David became a grandfather, he was called Buppy by his own grandchildren.

David played football for the Palmetto High School Panthers and after graduating and spending a short stint at the Air Force Academy, he attended and played football at Wheaton College. It was there that he met the love of his life, Georgia Lee Rizzotto. He loved to tell the story of the first time they met. It was at a homecoming "greased watermelon" event. Georgia was running past David and asked him to hold her sweater and the rest is history.

They were married on June 13, 1964 at the Kenosha Bible Church in Kenosha, Wisconsin. They then moved to Dayton, Ohio where Buppy completed his undergraduate degree from the University of Cincinnati. David's first job in economics was as a professor at the University of Miami where he also earned his M.B.A. He then earned his Ph.D. in Economics at Northwestern University.

As a young father, he was hired by Trinity College in Deerfield, IL to be the Vice President of Finance and was one of youngest to ever hold that title. He helped the school weather a financial crisis.

In 1977 David and Georgia moved with their 4 children to Wheaton, IL so that he could take the position of Senior VP of Finance at Wheaton College. David said that he loved the combination of working in finance, yet it was also a way to be involved in the Lord's work. He worked there for 33 years.

He retired from Wheaton College with some impressive achievements: an annual budget that grew from under $10 million to more than $110 million; an endowment that grew from $24 million to $250 million; and the construction of many notable buildings-- and not one single operating deficit.

He retired in 2009 after being diagnosed with stage IV lymphoma. He was given a dire prognosis of 6 months. It was during this time that David's wife, children, and grandchildren would gather weekly to pray for his healing. David lived 19 more years.

David held a strong faith in Jesus and he cared deeply for his family, home, and community. David loved and cherished his wife and 4 children. He was a present husband, father, and grandfather.

When Georgia was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, David was still battling his own lymphoma. Yet he found a way to be a compassionate and devoted caregiver. He faithfully made her breakfast every morning and cared for her every need. He was one of the most selfless and humble men you would ever meet.

After Georgia's death, her beloved black miniature poodle was left in the hands of David. Because he was a dutiful man who always accepted his obligations, he doted on that feisty little dog and eventually developed a deep connection. Scottie became David's loyal companion of many years.

David didn't have time for many hobbies but he jogged faithfully and played golf occasionally. He loved numbers and financial projects. He enjoyed traveling with Georgia and they were blessed to visit Africa, Scotland, and Europe. In 1996-97, David took a sabbatical and he and Georgia created special memories in Cambridge, England.

He spent his final years at Belmont Village Retirement Center.

He attended College Church in Wheaton.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Stephen, his wife Georgia, and son-in-law, Mark McMillan.

He is survived by his sisters Alison (Bill) Malyon, Ann (Lyle) Green, and Janet (Karl) Mokher;

His children Bethany McMillan, Laura (Kyle) Mueller, Erin (Jeff) Frazier, and Doug (Stacia) Johnston;

His grandchildren Brendan (Sharon) McMillan; great-grandchildren Elise and Amelia McMillan; Matthew (Allison) McMillan, Alison McMillan, Erik(Mackenzie) Mueller, Ian Mueller, Xander Mueller, Noah(Paige) Frazier, Hannah Frazier, Ben(Emily) Frazier, Georgia (Jack) Johnson, Sterling (Max) Martin and Dallas Johnston.

A visitation will be held at College Church in Wheaton, 332 E. Seminary Ave., Wheaton, IL 60187, on Saturday, June 20, 2026 from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the memorial service at 1:00 p.m. with a reception to follow. The service will be livestreamed through this link: Memorial Service for David Johnston.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made online to Wheaton College. Donations by check may be made out to Wheaton College and sent to Advancement Services, 501 College Avenue, Wheaton, IL 60187. Please kindly indicate the gift is in memory of David Johnston on the post-payment online giving form or on the check memo line.