A Celebration of Life for Clifford Vernon "Vern" Johnston, 90, will be held at the home of Vern and Mary Anne, 1-5 P.M., Saturday, August 23, 2025. Burial services for Vern were held privately at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Newark, with Fr. Fritzner Valcin as celebrant.

Vern died peacefully at his home on the lake, Monday, June 30, 2025.  He was born in Newark, Ohio on April 22, 1935, to the late Stacy Mendenhall and Maude Martha (Shelly) Johnston.

A 1953 graduate of Jacksontown High School, Vern attended The Ohio State University and proudly served his country as a member of the United States Army.

He worked as a professional engineer with McDonnell Douglas, Cardinal Industries (creating several patents), Diamond Power, and CV Johnston & Associates, retiring in 2013.

Vern spent 80 of his years living on the lake and thoroughly enjoyed the community it surrounded, and the many life-long water ski friendships formed. He will be remembered by all for his determination and his courageous love of life.

Vern held a great thirst for knowledge and loved sharing that knowledge with others. He was a man of science and never lost his fascination with engineering and the space program. For many years, Vern volunteered at Lakewood Schools in their Future City Program. truly believed that anything was possible and inspired those in his presence to believe this in themselves. He taught others to live life to the fullest by his own example.

He will be greatly missed by his wife of 63 years, Mary Anne (Vogelmeier) Johnston; daughters, Melinda "Mindy" Johnston (Scott Behrmann) and Laura (Adam) Hunt; grandchildren, Sarah Andujar and Nicholas Andujar; brother, Frederick Thomas (Tommy) (Mary) Johnston; his wife's family, Sarah "Sally" Howarth, Philip (Marjorie) Vogelmeier III, and Jane (David) Whyde; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Vern was preceded in death by his brother-in-law, Rodney "Gus" Howarth.

Memorials in Vern's name can be made to: Lakewood STEM Program, c/o Lakewood Local Schools Treasurer's Office, PO Box 70 Hebron, OH 43025

REED-EGAN FUNERAL HOME, 141 Green Wave Drive, Newark, is assisting the family with arrangements.  To leave a condolence for the family or share your memory of Vern, please visit www.reedegan.com.