Gary L. Johnson

Gary L. Johnson, 73, of Modena, passed away on Thursday, February 12, 2009 at the Brandywine Hospital. He was the beloved husband of Ruth Mellinger Johnson, with whom he would have shared 25 years of marriage this July.

Born in Coatesville, Gary was the son of the late Alfred R. and Isabella Gehirg Johnson. He served honorably in the US Navy during the Korean War. Gary was employed as a Gas Cutter for the former Lukens Steel for 34 years, retiring in 1998. An area resident all his life, he was a life member of the Thorndale and West End Fire Companies and the V.F.W. #287 of Coatesville. Gary attended the Hephzibah Baptist Church.

He is survived, in addition to his wife, by four children: Gary Johnson Jr. of Wagontown, Barbara Woodward, wife of Clayton, of Coatesville, Cindy Hefner, wife of Tim, of Guthriesville, and Terri Grim of Lancaster; many grandchildren and great grandchildren; six stepchildren, Vicky Cox, fiancŽ of Theodore, of Modena, Fred Mellinger, husband of Linda, of Frazer, John Coveleski Jr. of Parkesburg, Brenda Peters of Morgantown, Thomas Coveleski, husband of Linda, of New Holland and Jodie Sturges of Coatesville; his siblings, Gloria Seace of Coatesville, Mary Jane Mentzer of Coatesville, Edna May Ham of North Carolina and William Johnson of TN and his ex-wife, Cynthia Trumbower Howe of Wagontown. Gary was preceded in death by brothers George and Donald.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, February 17, 2009 at 11 AM at the Wilde Funeral Home, 434 Main St., Parkesburg, followed by interment in the Hephzibah Cemetery of East Fallowfield. Family and friends are invited to attend the viewing which will be held at the Funeral Home, both on Monday evening, from 6 to 8 PM and again on Tuesday morning from 10 AM until the time of the service.

Online condolences can be posted on www.wildefuneralhome.com