Kenneth E. Johnston, 85, of Warsaw, went to be with his Lord and Savior at 3 a.m. May 02, 2013, in his residence, while surrounded by his loving family. He was born Feb. 24, 1928, in Lorain, Ohio, the second of five children, to Robert Coy and Esther Yoder Johnston. On May 22, 1948, in the Methodist Church in Sheffield, Pa., he married Jean M. Dunkle, who survives. He was a 1945 graduate of Marienville (Pa.) High School. Between high school and going into the service he worked at the Allegany National Forest in Marienville. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1946-48 on the USS Gainard in the Mediterranean Sea. During this time he met the love of his life, Jean. They began their life in Marienville where he worked as an ironworker for T. Bruce Campbell, West Middlesex, Pa. His “on the job” travels took him, in addition to Pennsylvania, to Ohio, West Virginia and New York. He worked on the Blue Jay Bridge in Pennsylvania and other various sites. Eventually they settled in Rocky Grove, Pa., where he built the family home. In 1977 he was transferred to Warsaw where he became the manager at Fabricated Foundry Flask. He retired Dec. 31, 1990, with 13 years of service. He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church, Oswego. Being led by their Lord, Ken and Jean were founding members of the Baptist Temple of Franklin (Pa.). The church met and outgrew the Johnston’s basement to a membership of 125. They drew up plans and helped build the church as it sets on Pecan Hill in Franklin. Over the years he was a church deacon, treasurer and head usher. His family was very important to him. He was a member of Iron Worker’s Union. Also surviving are two sons, Timothy (and spouse Lynda) Johnston, Sheridan, Mont., and Ronald (and spouse Cathy) Johnston, Warsaw; two daughters, Lela Decker (and fiancé Rob Rummel), Johnstown, Pa., and Deborah (and spouse Calvin) Bolt, Warsaw; 14 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and a sister, Agnes Vandervort, Marienville. He was preceded in death by a brother, Richard Johnston, and two sisters, Vivian Silveus and Virginia Thompson. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Titus Funeral Home, Warsaw, officiated by Pastor Kirk Barger of Calvary Baptist Church, Oswego. Calling is from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday and one hour prior to the service Saturday at the funeral home. Military honors will be by members of Warsaw’s American Legion Post 49 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1126. ***** Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, 208 S. LaSalle St. - Suite 900, Chicago, IL 60604. Condolences may be sent via www.titusfuneralhome.com
