Albert "Joe" Johnson

                        Albert “Joe” Johnson

Albert “Joe” Johnson, 84, of Kinsman, passed away Sunday, April 14, 2019, at home after an extended illness.

He was born December 21, 1934 in Warren, the son of Carl and Ethel Peltola Johnson.

He graduated from Gustavus High School in 1954.

He was united in marriage on April 7, 1956 to Grace Lauer, daughter of Helen and Russell Lauer of Kinsman.  They just celebrated 63 years of marriage.

After serving in the National Guard, he was drafted into the U.S. Army. When his service was over, he worked on a dairy farm.  He then joined his Uncle Matt in the cement business.  After several years, he bought his own dairy farm in Gustavus, where he farmed for many years.  He sold his cows and continued to grain farm.  He then started his own business, Johnson Dairy Supply, selling milking and farming equipment to many farmers in Trumbull, Ashtabula and Geauga counties.

He was in the Gustavus V.F.W. post 6263, serving as Color Guard for homecomings and Memorial Day ceremonies and ordering flags and flowers for veteran’s graves. When his post closed he joined the Kinsman American Legion post 506, where he served as Color Guard and ordered flags and flowers for veteran’s graves.  Altogether, he did this for more than 50 years.

He also belonged to St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Kinsman and the Trumbull County Farm Bureau.

Joe and Grace loved polka and square dancing and going to auctions and fairs.

He is survived by his wife, Grace Johnson; a daughter, Lisa (R.J.) Rufener of Hartford; a son, David (Verl) Johnson of Gustavus; two granddaughters, Katie Rufener and her fiancé Ken Hubbard and Marcy Rufener; a half-sister, Lois (Bill) Schmauder of Windgap, Pa.; and two half-brothers, Clarence Johnson of Cortland and Gene Miller of Columbus. Also, a special tribute to Rick Tomczyk, who Joe referred to as “his Best Friend”, who has been a very special friend and angel, giving much friendship to the family.

He was preceded in death by his father, Carl, and mother, Ethel Peltola Johnson Miller Spengler; step-father, Russell C. Miller, who helped raise him and a half-sister, Helen Roscoe.

Friends and relatives may call at Galloway-Onstott Funeral Home, 3451 St. Rt. 7, Hartford, on Thursday, April 18, 2019, from 9 to 11 a.m.

A military service will be at 11 a.m. with the funeral service to follow with Rev. Michael Mikstay, CAPT., CHC, U.S.N. Ret. officiating from St. Patrick’s Catholic Church.

Burial will be in Kinsman Cemetery.  

 In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to the Kinsman American Legion, P.O. Box 288, Kinsman, Ohio 44428 or to St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, P.O. Box 297, Kinsman, Ohio 44428

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