Obituary of Donald B. Johnston

Donald B. Johnston was born April 16, 1925 in Barberton, OH to Donald M. & Jennie Johnston, both deceased.  He served in WWII with the 87th Infantry Division receiving the Combat Infantry Badge, Bronze Star and the European Medal with three battle stars. He graduated from Kenmore High School, class of 1943 where he played football.  Kenmore was the City Champions in 1942 in the first city playoffs on Thanksgiving Day.  Donald joined the Plasters & Cement Masons Local #109 as an Apprentice in 1947.  He was elected Financial Secretary and Business Agent in 1954 and appointed to the International Union Staff in 1957 and retired in 1985 as Vice President.  He organized statewide conferences, statewide health and welfare benefits, statewide apprentice programs and negotiated statewide agreements for the Cement Mason on heavy and highway construction in Ohio and Michigan. He was a member of the Wayfarer Masonic Lodge #789 F&AM in Portage Lakes, Scottish Rite Valley of Akron, Yusef Kahn Grotto, Tadmor Shrine, 87th Infantry Division Assoc., and Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge.  He was an Akron area resident until he retired in 1985 moving to Tuscon, AZ until 2000 when he returned to Akron. Donald was preceded in death by his wife Lila in 1993, brother Gordon in 1928 and son Donald J. in 2006.  He is survived by his children, Carol J. (Walter) Duda, Stow, daughter-in-law Julia Johnston, OK, Richard S. (Helen) Johnston, Sr., Portage Lakes, and Sarah (Mark) Jung, Tuscon, AZ.  Also surviving are grandchildren, Jon (Kim) Duda, AZ, Gregory (Enza) Duda, AZ, Stacey (Dennis) Mathieu, Cuyahoga Falls, Barbara (Mike) Shubin, OK, Richard S. (Amber) Johnston, Jr., Portage Lakes, Jennifer Jung, Jerrod Jung, and Devaj Jung, AZ, step-grandchildren, Christopher Patrick, Akron, John (Jill) Patrick, Akron, fourteen great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. The family extends their heartfelt appreciation for the kindness and home care Don received from his Hospice of Summa team; Diane, Chase, Jeremy, Stephanie and Mike.  Friends are invited to the Redmon Funeral Home for visitation Thursday from 12:30 to 2 PM, where Hospice of Summa Chaplain Michael Shaub will conduct service Thursday 2 PM.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of Summa, 525 E. Market St., P.O. Box 2090, Akron, OH 44398-9976.