Jeanie (Butterfield) Johnston

Jeanie (Butterfield) Johnston, 71, of South Bend, passed away after a short illness Friday, March 26, 2021, at Signature Healthcare Facility of South Bend. She was born January 20, 1950, in Gary, Indiana to the late Norman and Mildred (Hansen) Johnston.

Jeanie was a proud graduate of Valparaiso High School, class of 1968. She received both Bachelor of Science degrees from Indiana University and earned 40 hours towards her Doctorate from Purdue. Jeanie followed her mother’s teaching legacy, beginning her teaching career in 1972, and spent 31 years in the same 1st-grade classroom at Twin Branch Elementary School, Mishawaka. Jeanie retired in 2005, and during the span of her 33 years earned many accolades, highlighted in 1994, receiving the key to the City of Mishawaka for recognition on Teacher of the Year awards from both the State of Indiana and her own school, Twin Branch. Throughout her career, Jeanie touched the lives of 2 generations of children and affectionately greeted her former students as “oldies but goodies”. She influenced many to become a teacher.

In her childhood, Jeanie performed many shows as a Twirler and won many competitions. Jeanie had a smile that could light up a room and always quick with a compliment or a positive word to anyone she met.  She will be dearly missed by all who loved her.

Jeanie was a member of the Granger Community Church.  Jeanie also loved all things Notre Dame and was an avid fan of all Notre Dame sports.

On August 11, 1973, Jeanie married Steven Butterfield at Valparaiso University Chapel.  Jeanie is survived by her beloved son, Brian (Stephanie) Butterfield, of Roseville, MI.; step-grandchildren, Alexia and Austin Middleton, Roseville, MI.; numerous nieces and nephews, treasured lifelong friends, colleagues and her “oldies but goodies”.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Terry Johnston; and beloved pups, Butters and Snuggles.

Visitation will be held Thursday, April 1, 2021, from 12:00-4:00 pm with a Celebration of Life immediately following at Hahn Funeral Home, 505 W. 8th St. Mishawaka, IN. Due to current public health and safety standards, social distancing will be enforced and masks required.  For those wishing to join, a live-streamed funeral service will also be available at 4:00 pm on Thursday, April 1, 2021. To access the livestream service use the Zoom website or app with a Meeting ID of 5742551474.  

In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested for the family.

To leave an online condolence or to share a memory, please visit www.hahnfuneralhomes.com.

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