Louis Anthony Johns
Purple Heart recipient and league bowler
Louis Anthony Johns, 97, a lifelong resident of Washington, most recently of Hawthorne Woods, South Strabane Township, died Tuesday, February 25, 2014, in Washington County Health Center, Chartiers Township, following a brief illness.
He was born April 10, 1916, in Washington, a son of the late Michael and Mary Louise Oritelli Johns.
He attended Washington schools.
A U.S. Army veteran of World War II, Mr. Johns participated in the Rhineland, Ardennes and Central Europe campaigns.
For his service, he was awarded the Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Medal with 3 bronze stars and the World War II Victory Medal. Mr. Johns was honorably discharged November 9, 1945.
Mr. Johns worked for Hazel Atlas from 1932 until 1956, then as a grinder-fitter for National Annealing Box from 1956, until his retirement.
He was a founding member of Independent Club, a life member of Edwin Scott Linton Post 175 of American Legion and a member of Veteran of Foreign Wars and United Steelworkers of America.
Mr. Johns actively marked veterans’ graves in local cemeteries each year at the holidays. He was a lifelong member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.
He was a league bowler and enjoyed playing softball and baseball in his younger years. Mr. Johns loved watching his grandchildren playing sports.
Deceased are five brothers, Boots, Tony, Nick, Joe and Antonio (infant), and three sisters, Angeline Cipoletti Camden, Rose Whetsell and Esther (infant).
Surviving are two sons, Richard (Gretchen) Johns of Murrells Inlet, S.C., and Robert Johns of Washington; a daughter, Roberta (Ray) Roccon of Harmony; a brother, Jake (Millie) Johns of Washington; eight grandchildren, Christine Johns, Jamie Johns, Richard (Eileen) Johns, Beth Ann Grantz, Raymond (Ayron) Roccon, Ryan (Stephanie) Roccon, Rachel (Jake) Barlow and Rebecca (Craig) Stanionis; and 11 great-grandchildren.
Friends will be received from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the time of a blessing service, Thursday, February 27, in William G. Neal Funeral Homes Ltd, 925 Allison Avenue, Washington. Father Pat Barkey will officiate. Full military honors will be accorded in the funeral home by Edwin Scott Linton Post 175 of American Legion. Burial will follow on a later date in National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, Cecil Township.
Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of donor’s choice.