Edwin Hawn Johnston

Edwin Hawn Johnston of Dover, Ohio, age 91, passed away on Oct. 11, 2015 at Community Hospice House in New Philadelphia. Edwin was born November 11, 1923 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the son of Robert and Gertrude (Heisler) Johnston.

Edwin enlisted in the Marine Corps at the age of 19 and was a World War II Veteran from 1942-1946.
Upon completion of Basic Training at Parris Island, South Carolina, he was assigned to Marine Corps
Headquarters in Washington, D. C. There he met the love of his life, Marie Irene Rose Donnelly from Duluth, Minnesota an employee at FBI Headquarters in Washington. After a relatively brief courtship,
they became engaged on Christmas Eve in 1943. Edwin was transferred to Marine Corps Air Base, Cherry Point, North Carolina. Despite the war and probable deployment at any time, they decided to marry and did so on July 10, 1944 at Mount Carmel Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Following a brief honeymoon in Atlantic City, New Jersey, Edwin returned to duty and was able to rent "off base" housing shared with a civilian couple and their child. This enabled Marie to join him. Approximately three months later Ed was on his way by troop train and reassignment arriving at Miramar Air Base, California. Within three months, he boarded the USS Bon Homme Richard aircraft carrier as part of a convoy enroute to Pearl Harbor. Edwin's next assignment was the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, based at Ewa, Oahu, HI. SEMPER FI.

After the war, Ed was eligible for discharge based on his service time. After many months apart, time was of the essence so he boarded the first available troopship to the West Coast; and then on by train to Bethesda Naval Base, Md. for an official discharge. He then went by train to Duluth to be with his sweetheart and her family whom he had never met.

While attending Duluth Business University under the G.I. Bill, he was offered a job with Joy Manufacturing Company. In 1959 Edwin accepted a management position at Joy's New Philadelphia Plant. Ed was involved in several areas the last being, Manager Contract Administration involving para legal work and the Cost Improvement Program. In 1983 he took advantage of an early retirement at the age of 58. He served a total of 36 years with Joy.

Edwin and Marie traveled extensively together with family and friends. They both lived to celebrate their 90th birthdays and 70th wedding anniversary. Edwin's last wish was to be right beside his beloved wife, Marie, forever! True Love to the Very End! Edwin loved this saying: "Remember me with love and laughter.. That's how I'll remember you all.. If you can only remember me with tears.. Don't remember me at all.."

Edwin and Marie were blessed with two children; Wynne (Bob) Smith of Dover, Ohio, Kevin (Sheryl) Johnston of Destin, Florida; four grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. Brian (Julie) Johnston, parents of Brennan and Parker; Kurt (Traci) Smith parents of Kooper, Jake and Camryn; Lori (Jay) DeVaughn parents of Eli; and Lindsay (Kyle) Stemple, parents of Kora and Brecken; along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, and very special friends.

In honoring Edwin's wishes, cremation has been entrusted to the Toland-Herzig Funeral Home & Crematory in Dover. Inurnment will take place next to Marie at Dover Burial Park. To sign an online guestbook for Edwin, visit the "Obituaries & Flowers" link on the funeral home's website.

Memorial contributions can be made to Community Hospice, 716 Commercial Ave SW, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663 or St. Jude Children's Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.