Joshua Johnson, 34

Joshua L. Johnson, 34 years, of West Unity, passed away Friday, May 23, 2014 in West Unity.  Josh was born September 3, 1979 in Bryan, Ohio, the son of Edward L. and Sheila M. (King) Johnson.  He was a 1997 graduate of Hilltop High School as well as a 1998 graduate of University Technical Institute in Chicago.  He married Jody L. Jones on August 20, 2004, and she survives.  Josh was a mechanic, working at Short’s Automotive in Archbold, Rupcol in West Unity, Hutch’s Towing in Holiday City as well as owning and operating his own repair shop, Johnson Auto Care in West Unity,  for the past six years, Josh has worked at Titan Tire in the Maintenance Department.  A big kid at heart, Josh loved to be outdoors hunting, fishing, riding dirt bikes, 4-wheelers or his motorcycle.  He taught his kids how to hunt, going after rabbits, squirrel and deer.  He was a proud member of the NRA as well as Steelworkers Local 890.

Surviving is his wife Jody of West Unity; five children, Gabriella Johnson, Makalie Swisher, Alexandra Johnson, Rylee Johnson and Zailee Johnson, all at home; his parents, Sheila and Mark Bowers of West Unity and Edward and Char Johnson of Kunkle; one brother, Jeremiah (Tiffany) Johnson of West Unity; grandparents, Duane and Sharon King of Bryan and Carl and Marjorie Bowers of West Unity; Fathers and Mother’s-in-law, Nancy and Lyle Myers of Georgia, James and Sandy Jones of West Unity; sister-in-law, Nicki Brown and her fiancé Jason Barker of West Unity; grandparents-in-laws, Rose Mick of Montpelier and Coy and Jean Jones of West Unity as well as several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends.

Visitation for Joshua L. Johnson will be held Thursday, May 29, 2014 from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. in the Oberlin-Turnbull Funeral Home, 202 North Liberty Street, West Unity.  Funeral services for Josh will be held 11:00 a.m., Friday, May 30, 2014 at the West Unity United Methodist Church, 311 North Liberty Street, West Unity with Pastor Tom Bates officiating.  Interment will follow in Shiffler Cemetery, Bryan.

Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider memorial contributions be made to Hilltop High School Athletic or Music Boosters.