1926
Charles
2016
Charles Johnston, Jr
December 13, 1926 — January 18, 2016
Charles H. Johnston, Jr., 89 of Greensburg, died Monday January 18, 2016 at his home. He was born on December 13, 1926 in Pittsburgh, a son of the late Charles H. Johnston and Helen Spencer Johnston Herrington.
He was a lifelong member of the First United Methodist Church, Greensburg , where he was a Sunday School Teacher and Sunday School Superintendent, member of the Usher's Club and Certified Lay Speaker and helped with the church's food bank program. Charles was a graduate of St. Vincent College and served in the USMC during the Korean Conflict. Prior to retirement, Charles was a food technologist and a manager of pickle product development for H.J. Heinz Co. of Pittsburgh.
He was a member of AARP of Greensburg, Chapter 4729, was active in the prostate cancer support group, "Us Too", and volunteered helping retired citizens with their taxes. Charles was a Mason and was a member of Westmoreland Lodge # 518 where he received the 60 year membership certificate and was the lodge Master 3 times. His many masonic memberships and awards included the Urania Royal Arch Chapter, where he was the Most Excellent High priest, and received the 50 year pin in 2005; Royal and Selected Master Masons-Olivet Council # 13, in which he was thrice Illustrious master, 1982, current recorder, received Cryptic Mason of the Year Award and recipient of the Silver Trowel. He was Eminent Commander, 1975 and treasurer of Knight Templar, Kedron Commandery # 18; Scottish Rite, member of Valley of Pittsburgh; member of Knight York Cross of Honor; member of Tall Cedars of Lebanon of North America, Westmoreland Forest # 77 where he was Grand Tall Cedar, 1984 Chairman of the Rose Program and former District Deputy; and most recently he received the De Molay Legion of Honor Award.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Charlotte Fennell Johnston; a brother, Spencer W. Johnston and sister, Marcia Gregory.
Charles is survived by his daughter, Kimberly A. Ivory (William) of Greensburg and his son, Dr. Spencer A. Johnston (Sharon) of Statham, GA; 5 grandchildren, Chet (Nicole) Bell, Amanda Bradosky, Ayla (Micah) Ott, George and Alex Johnston; 5 great grandchildren, Trinity Bradosky, Jordan and Shyla Ott, Evan and Reese Bell; also, a number of nieces and nephews.
Family and friends will be received on Wednesday from 4-8 PM at Kepple-Graft Funeral Home, 524 North Main Street, Greensburg. The funeral service for Charles will be held on Thursday at 10 AM in the funeral home. Interment will follow in Westmoreland County Memorial Park. A masonic service will be held on Wednesday at 7 PM conducted by members of Westmoreland Lodge # 518. The Johnston family would like to give a special thank you for the wonderful care of Charles to Amada Senior Care-Joe, Tobie and Leah, our night care angel, Mary Jo and Excela Hospice. For online condolences, please visit www.kepplegraft.com
Viewing Wednesday 4 to 8 pm
Service Thursday 10 am
He was a lifelong member of the First United Methodist Church, Greensburg , where he was a Sunday School Teacher and Sunday School Superintendent, member of the Usher's Club and Certified Lay Speaker and helped with the church's food bank program. Charles was a graduate of St. Vincent College and served in the USMC during the Korean Conflict. Prior to retirement, Charles was a food technologist and a manager of pickle product development for H.J. Heinz Co. of Pittsburgh.
He was a member of AARP of Greensburg, Chapter 4729, was active in the prostate cancer support group, "Us Too", and volunteered helping retired citizens with their taxes. Charles was a Mason and was a member of Westmoreland Lodge # 518 where he received the 60 year membership certificate and was the lodge Master 3 times. His many masonic memberships and awards included the Urania Royal Arch Chapter, where he was the Most Excellent High priest, and received the 50 year pin in 2005; Royal and Selected Master Masons-Olivet Council # 13, in which he was thrice Illustrious master, 1982, current recorder, received Cryptic Mason of the Year Award and recipient of the Silver Trowel. He was Eminent Commander, 1975 and treasurer of Knight Templar, Kedron Commandery # 18; Scottish Rite, member of Valley of Pittsburgh; member of Knight York Cross of Honor; member of Tall Cedars of Lebanon of North America, Westmoreland Forest # 77 where he was Grand Tall Cedar, 1984 Chairman of the Rose Program and former District Deputy; and most recently he received the De Molay Legion of Honor Award.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Charlotte Fennell Johnston; a brother, Spencer W. Johnston and sister, Marcia Gregory.
Charles is survived by his daughter, Kimberly A. Ivory (William) of Greensburg and his son, Dr. Spencer A. Johnston (Sharon) of Statham, GA; 5 grandchildren, Chet (Nicole) Bell, Amanda Bradosky, Ayla (Micah) Ott, George and Alex Johnston; 5 great grandchildren, Trinity Bradosky, Jordan and Shyla Ott, Evan and Reese Bell; also, a number of nieces and nephews.
Family and friends will be received on Wednesday from 4-8 PM at Kepple-Graft Funeral Home, 524 North Main Street, Greensburg. The funeral service for Charles will be held on Thursday at 10 AM in the funeral home. Interment will follow in Westmoreland County Memorial Park. A masonic service will be held on Wednesday at 7 PM conducted by members of Westmoreland Lodge # 518. The Johnston family would like to give a special thank you for the wonderful care of Charles to Amada Senior Care-Joe, Tobie and Leah, our night care angel, Mary Jo and Excela Hospice. For online condolences, please visit www.kepplegraft.com
Viewing Wednesday 4 to 8 pm
Service Thursday 10 am
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