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Kenneth Charles Johnston

August 9, 1945 - May 26, 2014

U.S. Veteran

Burial Date June 2, 2014

Visitation 2-8 Sunday June 1, 2014

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Kenneth Charles Johnston, 68, of Fairmount City died on Monday May 26, 2014 at home surrounded by his family.

Born August 9, 1945, in Distant, he was the son of Edward Roscoe and Eldia Mae (Courson) Johnston.

Mr. Johnston graduated from Redbank Valley High School, Class of 1963.  Following high school, he served in the U.S. Army for 2 years including an assignment in Germany.

He married Joan Bernadette Unger on October 19, 1968, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Kittanning.  She survives.

In addition to his wife, survivors include two sons and a daughter.  Michael Johnston and his wife, Kathleen, of Kremmling, CO, David Johnston and his wife, Kristi, of Tiffin, OH and Michelle Drzal and her husband, Walter, of Irwin, PA; six grandchildren, Whitney Johnston, Brooke Johnston and Elise Johnston of Tiffin, OH, Connor Drzal, Ryleigh Drzal and Walter Charles Drzal (“Charlie”) of Irwin, PA.  Also survived by brothers, William Johnston, and wife, Kay, of Distant; Robert Johnston and wife Louella, of Lafayette, IN; Gary Johnston and wife Judith, of Niederwald, TX; and sisters Gladys Shoemaker, of Homer City; and Carol Altobelli and husband Jerry, of Distant.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister Shirley McMahan and his brother Richard Johnston.

Mr. Johnston was a long time member of St. Charles Roman Catholic Church in New Bethlehem where he had served as a Eucharistic Minister.  He was also a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 66, VFW Post 415 New Bethlehem and Hawthorn Rod & Gun Club.

Mr. Johnston was a heavy equipment operator with C&K Coal and numerous highway construction companies throughout his career in which he was known to be an exceptional “grader man”.  He retired from the Union in 2005.

He enjoyed his family and particularly his grandchildren. Swinging his grandchildren on his homemade swing hanging from the maple tree and taking them on Ranger rides were some of his greatest joys.  He also enjoyed gardening with his wife, working in his garage, cutting firewood, hunting, socializing with friends over a cold one and holding true to his promises, no matter what the circumstances.

The family will receive friends at the Alcorn Funeral Home in Hawthorn on Sunday June 1, 2014 from 2 to 8 p.m.  A Christian Vigil service will be held at 1:30 p.m.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Monday June 2, 2014 at St. Charles Roman Catholic Church in New Bethlehem with Father Samuel Bungo officiating.  Interment will follow at Rimer Hill Cemetery in Madison Township, Armstrong County.

Online condolences can be sent to the family at www.alcornfuneralhome.com.