Obituary of Robert W. Johnston

Bedford Robert W. Johnston, 92, of 2907 Broadview Drive, Bedford, died at 8:40 am on Wednesday, February 18, 2009 at Garden Villa in Bedford. Born June 30, 1916 in Greensburg, IN he was the son of Walter W. and Elizabeth (Bates) Johnston. He married Charlotte Tinker on July 6, 1940 and she preceded him in death on January 13, 1994. He graduated from Greensburg High School and attended Purdue University. He joined Hoosier Public Energy Co. in Greensburg. He worked for Public Service Indiana for a total of forty-one years a groundsman, lineman, serviceman and a local manager in Batesville and Rushville before becoming a district manager in Bedford in 1972. He retired in 1981. He served in the U.S. Navy in WW II for twenty-five months aboard an LST as a fire control technician. He was recalled into the Navy in the Korean War in 1951 and served aboard the aircraft carrier, Bon Homme Richard. He was a past master of the Greensburg Masonic Lodge, past patron of the Greensburg Order of the Eastern Star, and a member of Scottish Rite, Valley of Indianapolis. He served fourteen years on the board of directors of the Chamber of Commerce in Bedford, Batesville, and Rushville. Over the years, he has been active in civic and governmental organizations. He had belonged to the Kiwanis Club, Lions Club, Elks Lodge, Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce, and the American Legion. He also had served on the Plan Commission and the Board of Zoning Appeals for the City of Bedford for many years, and the Bedford Urban Enterprise Zone Association. Survivors include one daughter, Sue Niehaus of Bedford, with whom he had resided for the past four years; one son, Roger Johnston and his wife, Ruth of Hampton, VA; one granddaughter, Stacey Randolph and her husband, Brian of Bedford; three great grandchildren, Zachary, Zoe, and Zane Randolph. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife and one brother, Richard Johnston. Funeral Information Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 pm on Sunday, February 22nd from the Elmwood Chapel of the Day & Carter Mortuary. A private committal will be conducted at South Park Cemetery in Greensburg. Friends may call from 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Saturday, February 21st at the Day & Carter Mortuary. A Masonic service will be conducted at 7:00 pm on Saturday, February 21st by members of Bedford Masonic Lodge #14 F & AM. View Video Tribute