Robert W. Johns

Robert W. Johns, 96, of Frew Mill Road, Shenango Township, died Sunday, February 14, 2010 at Avalon Nursing Center. He was born October 6, 1913 in Ellwood City, a son of the late Charles and Sarah (Ketter) Johns. He married Ruth M. (Woods) Johns on May 20, 1955. She survives in New Castle. Mr. Johns worked at the Shenango China retiring after 39 years. Before that he was a coal miner, working for various Mining Companies and was a Foreman for the Graziani Mining Company. He enjoyed farming and gardening and took pride in his plants and sold produce at the Farmer's Market for many years. Mr. Johns grew the largest pumpkin in Lawrence County one year and he holds the record at Boak Orchard for picking apples, 100 bushels in one day. He also enjoyed bee keeping and made and sold his own honey. Mr. Johns was a member of the Harmony Baptist Church and was and usher at the church for 50 years, he enjoyed hunting and fishing, and playing baseball, and softball.

He is survived by one daughter, Nancy Freed of New Castle, two sons, Benjamin Johns of Uniontown, PA, and Gary W. Johns of New Castle, one step-daughter, Nancy Caravella of New Castle, fifteen grandchildren, and twenty-two great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by one step-son, Raymond Clark, seven brothers, Clarence, George, Zurich, David, Norman, and Sherman Johns, and Jiggs Boyd, one sister, Helen Johns, and four half-siblings, Charles, Mary, Nellie, and Viola Bennett.

Visitation will be held at the William F. & Roger M. DeCarbo Funeral Home on Tuesday, February 16, 2010 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 pm.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, February 17, 2010 at 10:00 am at the William F. & Roger M. DeCarbo Funeral Home. Rev. James Hockenberry of Harmony Baptist Church will be officiating. Burial will be in the Graceland Cemetery.