James Edward Johnston
May 31, 1937 ~ May 30, 2014
Born in: Frankliln, Pennsylvania
James ("Jim") Edward Johnston, 76, of North 13th Street, Franklin died at 9:56 p.m., on Friday, May 30, 2014 at UPMC Northwest in Seneca. Born May 31, 1937 in Frankliln, PA, James was the son of the late Charles and Caroline Jane (LaMere) Johnston. He was married to his high school sweetheart, the former Areta Ann Goodwill-Knooihuizen, who preceded him in death on February 26, 2014.James proudly served his country for 35 years; and enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1957. He served as an Officer until his retirement on August 1, 1992 as a Commander. He was a Persian Gulf War Era Veteran. He earned the National Defense Service Medal with two Bronze Stars, Navy Commendation Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with a Silver Star and two Bronze Stars, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with two Gold Stars, Navy Good Conduct Medal with two Bronze Stars, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Korea) with two Bronze Stars, Southwest Asia Service Medal with a Bronze Star, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Navy Unit Commendation, Meritorious Unit Commendation with three Bronze Stars, and the Navy "E" Ribbon (2).Mr. Johnston was a member of St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church in Franklin. He was a graduate of St. Patrick's Elementary School and Franklin High School, class of 1955. Jim enjoyed cooking for his family and friends. He was famous for his pancakes and grande breakfast meals. His hobbies also included fishing and photography and he was an avid student of History.Jim and his wife, Areta, for many years, found great joy in serving the community as Mr. & Mrs. Santa Claus. James is survived by his daughters, Kim Bogart of Vienna, VA and Katherine Young and her husband, Steven, of King George, VA; grandchildren, James Bogart of Vienna, VA, Elisabeth Pafford and her husband, Andrew of Bethesda, Maryland, Briana Coats and her husband, Bronson of Virginia Beach, VA, Bryce Young and his wife, Samantha, of King George, VA, and Blaine Young of King George, VA; and his great-grandchildren, Donovan, Zachary and Alexander Coats of Virginia Beach, VA.In addition to his parents and wife, Areta, as listed above, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Caroline Mary Johnston on April 4, 2014; his brother, Charles A. ("Tony") Johnston; and his sister, Mary Catherine Riffee.Friends will be received at the Gardinier Funeral Home, Inc., 1315 Chestnut Street, Franklin, on Tuesday, June 3, 2014, from 10:00-11:00 am. Funeral services will be held at the funeral home on Tuesday, following visitation at 11:00 am, with Deacon Dick Reed of St. Patrick Church, officiating.Interment will be in St. Patrick Cemetery. Military honors will be accorded by the V.E.T.S. Honor Guard. In Mr. Johnston's memory, memorial donations may be made to The Caring Place, c/o The Christian Loving Fund, P.O. Box 1055, Franklin, PA 16323. To send online condolences, flowers, cards, or for further information, family and friends are invited to visit www.gardinierfuneralhome.com.
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I was sorry to read of your father’s death. He used to come back to PA from California to do genealogical research, both at the Franklin Library and at the Venango County Historical Society. He always did such accurate research! Please accept my condolences.
Sylvia Russell Coast