Dale Eugene Johnston

Name: Dale Eugene Johnston

Calling Hours: Thursday, July 17th from 2 to 8 pm at Weigel Funeral Home in Swanton

Service Hours: Friday, July 18th at 11:00 am in the Funeral Home

Dale Eugene Johnston, age 88, of Swanton, Ohio, passed away peacefully in his sleep at home Tuesday morning, July 15, 2008. He was born March 26, 1920 in Delta, Ohio to Marion and Lillian (Raker) Johnston. He married Pauline Barnes, and she preceded him in death on April 11, 1977.

Dale was a farmer since the age of 13. He owned and operated Johnston Fruit Farm on Airport Highway. Dale is best known for his homegrown strawberries, apples and blueberries. He was a member of the Farm Bureau, Ohio Apple Association, NRA Life Member, and attended the Swanton Church of the Nazarene. Dale was on the first committee that built the new Show Arena at the Fulton County Fairgrounds. In 2001, Dale was inducted into the Fulton County Agricultural Hall of Fame.

He enjoyed hunting and fishing, rose gardening, photography and was quite the prankster.

Dale is survived by his daughters, Melinda Hodges (Kevin Keller) and Martha (Fernando) Mora, and grandchildren, Kristin Hodges, Alycia Robinson, Erica Robinson, Eli Mora and Aaron Mora.

Besides his wife, Pauline, Dale was preceded in death by his parents; son-in-law, Bill Hodges, and sister, Doris Meintzer.

Friends and family may visit Thursday, July 17th from 2 to 8 p.m. at the Weigel Funeral Home in Swanton. Funeral services will be held Friday, July 18th at 11:00 a.m. in the funeral home with Pastor Marshall Metzger officiating. Interment will follow at Swanton Cemetery.

The family requests memorial contributions be made to the American Heart Association or to a charity of the donor’s choice.

Residence: Swanton, Ohio

Interment: Swanton Cemetery