Marlene Ruth (West) Johnston

Marlene Ruth West Johnston, 84 of Belmont, Ohio, passed into eternal life on Thursday, August 17, 2023, at the home of her daughter. Marlene was born on June 6, 1939, in Martins Ferry, Ohio the daughter of the late Ellen Masters West and Carl West.

Marlene worked as a secretary at International Harvester and Navistar Plant in Shadyside, Ohio.  She later retired from the U.S. Postal Service in Belmont where she worked as a rural carrier for many years.  She was also the owner/operator of Loop to Loop Yarn and M.J. Monogramming in St. Clairsville where she did subcontract work for many of the clothing stores at the Ohio Valley Mall.

While working at the post office, it became an annual tradition for her to give a handmade Christmas ornament to each and every person on her route.  Some years she made over 500 ornaments, which required her to start in October to be sure to get the job done before Christmas. She also worked as a Puppeteer/Ventriloquist doing shows for various organizations and schools throughout the Valley. She loved people and would share the Good News of Jesus Christ whenever she could.

She and her husband Dick would travel all over the country on his Harley with their friends, enjoying many of the Nation’s National Parks.  They even rode all the way to Alaska on the bike. At the age of 60, she got her own Harley. She loved life and lived it to the fullest.

Marlene was a loving and caring mother, grandmother and friend and will be missed terribly.

In addition to her mother and father, she was preceded in death by her husband Dick, son Richard Jr., brothers Carl West Jr. and Charles West, and great granddaughter Kit Madison Schafer.

Marlene was survived by her children Jay Van (Marcie) Johnston Sr. of Batavia, Ohio, Elaine Van (Doug) Schafer of Belmont, Ohio, and Tammy (Andy) Duill of Delaware, Ohio. Grandchildren: Richard V. (Christine) Johnston III, Stacy Johnston, Jessica (James) Lawless, Jay V. Johnston Jr., Melissa Johnston, Lacy (Derek) Gallagher, Alex (Jessica) Schafer, Lindsay Schafer, Carly (Joe) Stephen, and Madison Schafer. She had 25 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandson. A sister Darlene (Kent) Craver of Sidney, Ohio, a sister-in-law LaJ Bonstead of Dublin, Ohio, and a very special niece Alyson Morris as well as other nieces and nephews.

Friends will be received from 2PM until time of service at 5:30PM on Thursday, August 24th at the Wilson Funeral Home, Bethesda Chapel, 322 North Main Street, Bethesda, Ohio 43719. A fellowship meal will be held after the service at the Shepherd Barn and Event Center North Main Street Bethesda.

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