Russell K. Johnston, 86, of Monroeville, Indiana passed away at 6:58 p.m. on Saturday, March 23, 2013 at Lutheran Hospital of Indiana. He was born on February 16, 1927 in Lima, Ohio to the late Paul R. Johnston and the late Hazel I. (Stevenson) Johnston. He married Helen J. Wagner on July 8, 1949 in Morganfield, Kentucky and she passed away on March 29, 2004. Russ served his country in the United States Army during WWII. He was a member of the American Legion Post #420 in Monroeville and enjoyed coaching baseball in Monroeville. As a result of his achievements in coaching baseball, he was recently inducted into the Indiana Baseball Hall of Fame. Russ was a self-employed carpenter for most of his life. He was known in Monroeville for his eloquent poems and his generosity, especially around the holidays. He is survived by daughter, Kathy "Koce" Johnston of Fort Wayne, Indiana; son, Randy P. (Patti) Johnston of Angola, Indiana; daughter, Tracy L. (Mark) Lester of Monroeville, Indiana; twelve grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a sister, Jean F. Barkley Leavitt and a half-brother, Harold Johnston. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 27, 2013, in the Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home, Jacobs Chapel in Monroeville with the Rev. Ralph Klinker officiating. Burial will follow in the Monroeville Memorial Cemetery with Military Graveside Honors to be conducted by the American Legion Post #420 Color Guard of Monroeville. Family & friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday in the Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home, Jacobs Chapel in Monroeville and one hour prior services on Wednesday at the funeral home. Preferred memorials are to the American Legion Auxiliary Post #420 or the Allen County Humane Society.
