John Franklin Johnston
Founding member of VFW Post 191
John Franklin Johnston, 91, of Washington, died Tuesday, March 4, 2014, in Washington County Health Center.
He was born on June 18, 1922, in Beulah, a son of the late Swart and Valdie Rush Johnston.
Mr. Johnston was a graduate of Claysville High School and Pittsburgh Beauty Academy.
He was a World War II Veteran, serving with the U.S. Air Force in the 59th Bombardment Squadron, 397th Bombardment Group, and participating in the Normandy, Northern France and Rhineland campaigns. Mr. Johnstown flew 64 combat missions as a tail gunner in the B-26 Marauder. For his service, he was awarded the Air Medal, with 9 oak leaf clusters and the European African Middle Eastern Service Medal. Mr. Johnston was honorably discharged as a staff sergeant August 10, 1945.
He worked for Annealing Box as a crane operator, was a truck driver for Suwak Trucking and also worked for Mac Plastics.
He was an ambulance driver for the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 191, Canonsburg, where he was a founding member, a member of Edwin Scott Linton Post 175 of the American Legion and a lifetime member of Canonsburg Elks.
On July 2, 1976, he married Margaret Bebout, who survives.
Also surviving are two stepsons, Joseph (Lynn) Daniels of Lagonda and Kevin (Diane) Daniels of Claysville; two stepdaughters, Ellice (Edward) McAdams of Washington and Lory (Charles) Hurst of Arley, Ala.; two sisters, Louanna (Vincent) Chmel and Lucille (Richard) Frank, both of Washington; and several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Deceased is a brother, Jack Johnston.
Friends will be received from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday in William G. Neal Funeral Homes Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, March 10, with the Rev. Stephen Smythers officiating.
Burial will follow in Washington Cemetery. Full military honors will be accorded graveside by Edwin Scott Linton Post 175 of the American Legion.
Memorial donations may be made to Wounded Warriors, 301 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, or to any veteran-related charity.
Additional information and guestbook are available at www.NealFuneralHome.com.