KALKASKA CO., MI -- A Sheriff's Deputy in Kalkaska County who died suddenly back in December will always be remembered by a sign.
The Michigan Department of Transportation crews put up a new sign and memorial for Duane Johnston, and two miles of M-72 near the Kalkaska County, Grand Traverse County line, will be cleaned up in memory of him.
Johnston died of a heart attack on December 7th, and the Sheriff and Johnston's wife say this is a perfect way to remember him.
"It's a very good memorial, and the family will be able to pass by every day and see his name," says Kalkaska County Sheriff Dave Israel.
"My husband would be so thrilled with this, he worked for the state highway department when they instituted the Adopt-a-Highway program, and he was instrumental in getting people to sign up, so this would thrill him," says Duane's wife, Margarete Johnston.
Johnston worked 37 years for M-DOT and then 12 years in the Kalkaska County Sheriff's Office managing the jail clean-up crew.
