Raymond R. (Coach) Johnston

Raymond R. (Coach) Johnston, 77, of Conneaut Lake, passed away to be with our Lord and Savior on May 5, 2012 at Meadville Rehabilitation and Nursing Center.

Ray was born May 27, 1934 in Meadville, the son of Fred and Hazel Record Johnston.  He married Sandra Bossard in 1956.  He then married Patricia Keller Lane in 1983 and she preceded him in death July 19, 2008.

He was a Golden Glove boxer in his early years and graduated from Meadville High School in 1952.  He worked at Talon and graduated from his IBEW apprenticeship at Talon in 1956.  He taught IBEW Apprenticeship from 1958-1969 and then worked for Kightlinger Electric, retiring in 1992.  He was a member of IBEW Local 712 and worked construction jobs all over Pennsylvania, including industrial power plants, power distribution stations and substations.

He was a Decon at Faith and Grace Fellowship Church, which he and his wife Patricia help build at Abba Acres, Leach Road, Conneaut Lake on land that they had donated.  He loved baseball and softball and played for many years in the area.  Once he could no longer play he remained active by coaching several teams until 2011 when he became ill.

Survivors, include: a sister, Paula Merriman and her husband John of New Jersey; a daughter, Cheryl Copeland and her husband Ralph of Saegertown; two sons, Mark Johnston and his wife Michelle of Ormond Beach, FL and Craig Johnston and his wife Donna of Cochranton; a step-daughter, Bambi Carey and her husband Tom of Conneaut Lake; two step-sons, Fred Sloan and his wife Joyce of Utah and Richard Sloan of Virginia Beach, VA; 15 grandchildren, Brad Copeland, Jennifer Copeland Thomas, Anthony, Hollie, Dominic, Gabrielle, Alex and Erin Johnston, Brandon and Elizabeth Beck, Trisha Brodrick, Tom and Tyler Carey, Chasity and Charity; 10 great grandchildren, Brooke Copeland, Raegan and Madison Thomas, Morgan, Tanner, Arabella, Alexis, Chloe, Shelby and Zane; and nieces and nephews.  Also close friends, Chris and Bruce Whitmore, Rita Reese and Sandy Saeger whom he loved and adored.

He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle and friend to many.  He will be remembered for his generous and loving nature.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Patricia; two sisters, Joy Hayes of Ohio and Wanita (Nita) McCaffrey of Meadville and a grandson, Thaddeus Carey of Conneaut Lake.

Calling hours will be Wednesday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the Waid-Coleman Funeral Home, Inc., 12422 Conneaut Lake Road, Conneaut Lake.  The memorial service will follow at 8 p.m. at the funeral home with Pastor Richard King, formerly of Faith and Grace Fellowship Church., officiating.

Memorials may be made to the Meadville Sertoma Club, 14420 Baldwin Street Ext., Meadville, PA 16335.

Memories and condolences may be shared at waidfuneralhome.net.