Antoinette Ogle Johnston

Antoinette “Toni” Ogle Johnston was born in Riverside on Oct. 1, 1938, to parents Evan and Mable (Elkins) Ogle. She attended schools in Bakersfield and Shafter, graduating in 1956 from Shafter High School.

Toni was elected to the board of the Shafter Recreation and Park District in 1983 and served for a total of 37 years, during which the district built a softball/soccer complex, acquired and later updated the Walker Senior Center, updated the Aquatic Center and renovated the SRPD offices. She was a vital part of purchasing land and obtaining funding to build SRPD’s 42-acre Community Sports Complex to be completed in 2023.

She was active in the Shafter Woman’s Club and was honored as Shafter Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year in 2012. Over the years, Toni devoted many volunteer hours to the community of Shafter as well as helping out in many activities at Richland and Shafter High School. She dedicated her energy to the community and to her family, which were her greatest love. She is missed dearly.

Toni was preceded in death by her father, Evan LeRoy Ogle; her mother, Mable Deuprey; and her husband of 63 years, Jon W. Johnston. She is survived by daughter and son in law, Rochelle and Raju Ceerla; daughter Mande’ Johnston; granddaughters Vanessah Acosta, Chelsea Acosta and Clara Ceerla; grandsons Cade Nickell and Brady Nickell; and great grandsons Acen Zuniga, Jett Zuniga and Apollo Hernandez.

Toni passed away Sept. 11, 2022, surrounded by family, at Adventist Hospital in Bakersfield. A funeral service was held on Sept. 19 at 10 a.m. at the First Southern Baptist Church. A graveside committal followed at Shafter Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite charity, in remembrance of Toni.