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David Lee Johnston

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Navy veteran had love for the fair

David Lee Johnston, 76, of Mt. Pleasant Township, passed away peacefully Thursday, August 8, 2013, in ManorCare, McMurray.

He was born February 17, 1937, at home in Mt. Pleasant Township, a son of Wayne and Ruth Clarke Johnston.

Raised on the family farm, he was a 1955 graduate of Hickory High School.

Following graduation, he served with the U.S. Navy on the aircraft carrier USS Bon Homme Richard and for two years as a mechanic, touring with the Pensacola, Fla.-based Blue Angels flight team.

Mr. Johnston worked for Hankison International for 36 years, retiring as quality control supervisor.

He enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening, cutting cord wood, family vacations and attending his grandchildren’s sporting events. He volunteered at the Mt. Pleasant Volunteer Fire Department fish fries and annual Hickory Apple Festival and as one of the superintendents of the fruit and vegetable exhibit hall at the Washington County Agricultural Fair.

For more than 40 years, he showed and displayed his fruits and vegetables at the fair, winning many blue ribbons, most notably for his potatoes. His participation and love for the fair continues through his grandchildren.

On June 27, 1964, he married Elizabeth “Betty” Yanosik, his wife of 49 years.

Also surviving are two children, Michael David Johnston (Tammy) of Baldwin Borough and Rhonda Lucas (Dennis) of Mt. Pleasant Township; six grandchildren, Amanda, Victoria, David and Heidi Johnston and Emily and Colton David Lucas; a sister, Diane Rossero (Gerard) of Mt. Pleasant Township; a sister-in-law, Gloria McConnell (Donald) of Washington; a brother-in-law, Steve Yanosik of Southview; and several nieces and nephews.

A brother, W. Darrel Johnston, is deceased.

Friends will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday and 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday in McIlvaine-Speakman Funeral Home Ltd., Robert K. McIlvaine, owner/supervisor, 27 Cherry Avenue, Houston, PA 15342, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, August 14, with the Rev. Thomas Bellhy officiating. Interment will follow in National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, Cecil Township. Full military rites will be accorded by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 191 of Canonsburg and American Legion Post 902 of Houston, combined honor guard. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to American Cancer Society, 331 South Main Street, Washington, PA 15301. Condolences may be left by viewing the obituary at www.mcilvaine-speakman.com.

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