Obituary of Eugene Johnston

Eugene F. Johnston, 88, of Palm City, FL, died April 6, 2014 at his home surrounded by loved ones. He was born in Toledo, Ohio and resided in Walbridge, Ohio for over thirty years. After retiring he moved to Florida, maintaining dual residency in N. Fort Myers, Florida and Port Clinton, Ohio for 27 years. For the past four months he lived in Palm City, Florida where he could be close to his family.

As a young boy, he had a love of planes. During World War II he became a pilot for the US Army Air Force, where he flew a B-17, also known as The Flying Fortress.

After World War II, he went into the trucking business, where he was a steel hauler for the Sentle Trucking Company in Toledo. After many years of service he was honored with the appointment of Vice President of Safety, however, his love of the road called him back to his passion of driving cross country. He became involved in the Master Driver's Association and also competed in the Ohio Truck Roadeo Safety Competition, winning the championship for three years. He went on to compete in the National competition in the Dallas/Fort Worth area where he won second in the nation. He also won the Sportsmanship Award and was also a proud member of the Teamsters Local 20 Union in Toledo.

He served on the Board of Public Affairs in Walbridge for eight years and had been a lifetime member of the VFW. He also was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles.

Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Joan M. Johnston of Palm City; a son, John E. Johnston and his wife Susan of Maumee, OH; daughters, Judith Marie Johnston of Erie, MI and Jeri-Anne Johnston and her husband Michael Guirguis of Royal Palm Beach, FL. He also leaves behind six grandchildren, Sarah, Abby, Scott, Sam, Andrew and Matthew, and seven great-grandchildren, Brennen, Elizabeth, Madison, Riley, Grant, Joshua and Emma. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Samuel Johnston, Ralph Johnston and Frank Johnston.

SERVICES: There will be a memorial service at 3:00 PM on April 26, 2014 at the Sunlight Community Church, 477 SW Cashmere Boulevard, Port St. Lucie, followed by military honors provided by the US Air Force.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions may be made to the Sunlight Community Church, 477 SW Cashmere Boulevard, Port St. Lucie, FL 34986 telephone:772/879-6326 or Treasure Coast Hospice, 1201 SE Indian Street, Stuart, FL 34997, at 772/403-4530 or online at www.tchospices.org.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Forest Hills Funeral Home, Palm City.

An online registry is available at: www.foresthillspalmcityflorida.com