Robert L. Johnston

Robert L. Johnston, 89, of South Bend, IN passed away at 1:49 p.m. Tuesday, November 29, 2016 at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center after a brief illness.  He was born on January 9, 1927 in Elkhart, IN to the late Loyd W. and Lucille V. (Mast) Johnston.  He graduated from Riley High School in 1945 and was a lifelong area resident.  On January 16, 1949 in South Bend, IN he married the former Herta F. Fuchs.

Bob served his country honorably in the United States Army from March 1945 to September 1947, including serving in Japan.  He retired as a communications technician for AT&T after forty years of service.  Bob and Herta were foster parents to twenty one newborn babies in the 1970’s and were cuddlers in the nursery at St. Joseph Hospital for nine years after Bob retired.  They were honored with the Drum Major Community Service Award for their volunteer work.  Bob served many years at Emmaus Lutheran Church as elder and trustee.  Bob and Herta enjoyed spring in Myrtle Beach, SC, summer in northern Michigan, fall in Indiana State Parks and winter in Daytona Beach, FL.  Bob particularly relished cherry pie at the Cherry Hut in Beulah, Michigan and NASCAR in Daytona Beach.

Bob is survived by his wife of sixty-seven years, Herta F. Johnston; three daughters, Mary Lou (Dale) Deardorff of Mishawaka, IN, Nancy (Jennifer Mauch) Johnston of Indianapolis, IN, and Sue (David) Cambron of Lafayette, IN; three grandchildren, Sarah (Joshua) Carter, Neil (Lynn) Deardorff and Rachel Cambron; five great grandchildren, Madeline, Barrett, Thomas, Cora and Remi; and several nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by brother Richard Johnston; sister-in-law Margaret Johnston and two great grandsons Owen and Levi Deardorff.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, December 3, 2016 at Emmaus Lutheran Church, 929 Milton Street, South Bend, IN 46613.  Military honors will follow.  Friends may visit with the family from 4:00-7:00 p.m. Friday in Palmer Funeral Home-Guisinger Chapel, 3718 S. Michigan St. South Bend, IN 46614 and one hour prior to the services on Saturday at the church.

Contributions in memory of Robert L. Johnston may be offered to Emmaus Lutheran Church, 929 Milton Street, South Bend, IN 46613 or to the Military Honor Park and Museum, 4300 Veterans Dr. South Bend, In 46628.  Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.

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