Ricky Garth Johnston

Ricky Garth "Rick" Johnston, 62, of Petrolia Rd., Petrolia, slipped from the arms of his wife, Rosalyn, the love of his life and best friend, to his eternal rest at 12:05 p.m. Friday, March 11, 2016 at his home following a nine year battle with Multi System Atrophy, a very rare form of Parkinson's Disease.

Born in Butler on November 11, 1953, the son of Myrtle McCandless Johnston and the late Eceil F. Johnston.

Rick was raised near West Sunbury on the site of Moniteau High School. He was a 1971 graduate of Moniteau High School and was a member of the football team that won the Little Twelve Championship that year. He was also on the track team, where he set various records.

Rick was a welder and pipefitter by trade. He was a very diligent worker and always completed his jobs with great pride and workmanship. He had been employed by Weckerly Construction in Bruin and Witco Chemical and Dick McCall Inc., both in Petrolia. Rick and his wife, Rosalyn, were co-owners with their son at Hot Rod's in Petrolia. He was a member of the IAM Union for twenty five years, a life member of the NRA, The North Butler Hunting and Fishing Club, and the Ridgeville United Methodist Church. Rick lived life to the fullest and brought loads of love and laughter wherever he was. Rick enjoyed traveling, camping, and boating with family and friends. He was also an avid hunter and enjoyed skiing. He looked forward to fishing trips to Canada and attending gun shows with friends. He was an avid NASCAR fan of Dale Earnhart Sr. Rick and Rosalyn loved to travel, which they referred to as their "M & M" time, aka making memories. Rick most especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, teaching them the joys of boating and hunting. He was a very proud grandfather and was their number one fan at sporting events.

He is survived by his wife, Rosalyn Anthony Johnston, whom he married in Boyers on December 9, 1972. Rick and Rosalyn were high school sweethearts. Their first date was Rick's senior prom and the couple was engaged at Rosalyn's senior prom. He is survived by his mother, Myrtle McCandless Johnston of Chicora; a son, Rodney G. Johnston of Petrolia, a daughter, Tina Bailey and John Kucinski of Parker; two grandchildren Makala B. Bailey and Brock A. Bailey, both of Parker, a sister, Beverly Taylor and her husband, Michael, of Chicora; a brother-in-law, John Pry of West Sunbury; his in-laws, Dale and Elma Cumberland, of North Washington, and Dale Anthony of Chicora, as well as a number of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, and many friends.

In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by a sister, Jacqueline Pry and a son-in-law, Terry Bailey.

Friends will be received at the Hile Funeral Home of Chicora, 339 Chicora Fenelton Rd., Chicora, from 7 - 9 p.m. Saturday and from Noon- 3 and 5 - 8 p.m. Sunday and from 10 - 11:00 a.m. Monday at the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 2217 Chicora Rd, Chicora, where a funeral service will follow at 11:00 a.m. with the Rev. Joseph Boomhower, church pastor, officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to the Petrolia VFD Ambulance Service, PO Box 21, Petrolia, PA 16050 or to the Multiple System Atrophy Foundation at www.multiplesystematrophy.org For additional information or to send a condolence, please visit www.hilefh.com.

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