John Franklin Johnston

John Franklin Johnston, 91, of Washington, died on Tuesday, March 4, 2014, in the 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 the Pittsburgh Beauty Academy. He was a World War II Veteran of the U.S. Air Force, in the 59th Bombardment Squadron, 397th Bombardment Group. He participated in Normandy, Northern France and Rhineland Campaigns, flying 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, on August 10, 1945. He worked for Annealing Box, as a crane operator, was a truck driver, for Suwak Trucking, and had also worked for Mac Plastics. An ambulance driver for the VFW 191, Canonsburg, where he was a founding member, he was a member of the Edwin Scott Linton Post 175 of the American Legion, and a lifetime member of the Canonsburg Elks. On July 2, 1976, he married Margaret Bebout, who survives. Also surviving are 2 stepsons, Joseph (Lynn) Daniels, of Lagonda, and Kevin (Diane) Daniels, of Claysville; 2 step daughters, Ellice (Edward) McAdams, of Washington, and Lory (Charles) Hurst, of Arley, AL; 2 sisters, Louanna (Vincent) Chmel, of Washington, and Lucille (Richard) Frank, of Washington; several grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Deceased, is a brother, Jack Johnston. Friends will be received on Sunday, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m., in the William G. Neal Funeral Homes, Ltd., 925 Allison Ave., Washington, where services will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Monday, March 10, 2014, with Rev. Stephen Smythers officiating. Burial will follow in the Washington Cemetery. Full Military Honors will be accorded graveside by the Edwin Scott Linton Post 175 of the American Legion. Memorial donations may be made to Wounded Warriors, 301 Grant St., Pittsburgh, PA 15219, or to any veteran-related charity.