Gary E. Johnson

East Palestine- Gary E. Johnson, age 73, of East Palestine, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, April 10, 2016, at Park Center Health Care and Rehabilitation in Boardman.

He was born on November 27, 1942, in Sebring, a son of the late Claude E. Johnson and the late Margaret Cox Mahon.

Gary was a veteran of the United States Air Force having served during Vietnam and was a member of Grace Lutheran Church, East Palestine. He was a former member of the East Palestine Country Club, the New Waterford Eagles, and the East Palestine Moose. Gary had also been active with the La Habra Masonic Lodge, CA.

He enjoyed riding motorcycles and dirt bikes, as well as golfing, woodworking, fishing and hunting.

He is survived by his wife, Alta Nelson Johnson, whom he married on August 4, 1979; two sons, Jeff (Derek Mansfield-Rogue) Rogue of East Palestine and Brandon Schroth of Tucson, AZ; a daughter, Gaylin Salazar of Lancaster, CA; step-daughter, Jane (Dean) McRoberts of East Palestine; step-son, Jeff Fisher of CA; God-daughter, Sarah Martinez of Española, NM; two brothers, Claude “Bubs” (Mary) Johnson of South Vienna and Larry (Gloria) Johnson of East Palestine; two sisters, Sherry (Donald) Bishop of New Waterford and Linda Johnson of Sebring and by numerous nieces and nephews.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents; step-father, Raphel "Skinny" Mahon; step-mother, Barb Johnson; a step-daughter, Janet Potts; son-in-law, Alan Rogue; brother, Charles Johnson; sister, Jacqueline Morgan and a nephew, Brian Johnson.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, April 13, 2016, from 6:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m. and one hour prior to the service on Thursday at the Van Dyke-Swaney-Rettig Funeral Home, East Palestine.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, April 14, 2016, at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home with Rev. Donald Pentz officiating.

Burial will be at Little Beaver Cemetery, Enon Valley, PA.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the church.

Family and friends may view this obituary and send condolences at www.familycareservices.com