Charles "Charlie" Lee JohnstonNEWARK: Charles Lee Johnston, age 89, of Newark, passed away on Monday, March 6, 2017 at his home. He was born on November 5, 1927 to the late Lee Iden Johnston and Margaret (Winegarner) Johnston in Zanesville, Ohio. Immediately following graduation from Thornville High School in 1945, he enlisted in the United States Army serving time in Panama. Upon his return to Ohio he attended Bowling Green University and graduated from the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. He returned to Newark and joined the staff of the Ross Henderson Funeral Home in 1951. In 1961, Charlie and Ron Van Atta were given the opportunity to join the firm and it became known as Henderson, Van Atta and Johnston Funeral Service until Charlie's retirement in 2004. In 1968, Mayor Alexander approached Charlie about filling out the term of Don Hill as City Treasurer of Newark. Having no experience in politics or the duties of a treasurer, Charlie decided to take the job thinking it would only be for a short period of time. With only some ledgers and several small leather bank books he sat down to figure it all out. Thirty-three years later, a larger staff, and computerized records, Charlie retired from the Treasurer's office. With great help from his employees, Newark had become a place where other cities of similar size in Ohio came to learn about setting up their own income tax offices. His goal for the city had been to earn a million dollars in investments for one year and he reached that goal his final year. Charlie was also very involved in the community. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Newark, and he served as their chairman of the building committee. He was instrumental in assisting with the planning the building of the new church on Granville Road when the members decided they needed more space and more parking which was not available at their location at the corner of Fifth Street and Granville Street.Charlie was a Past-President of Kiwanis Club of Newark where he was a 50 year member. He was also a member of Licking County Shrine Club, Aladdin Temple of the Shrine, Arthritis Foundation Board, United Commercial Travelers, Newark Maennerchor, United Way Board, F &AM Acme Lodge #554, York Rite, and was a 60 year member of Knights of Pythias and American Legion Post #85. In addition, he served as President of LAPP Board, Association of Retarded Citizens, Goodwill Industries, LMH Development Council, where he served as Chairman of the Annual Support Group and was a member of the Cornerstone Club. He was a member of the following Professional groups: Ohio Funeral Directors Association, National Funeral Directors Association, Order of Golden Rule, and a Member of the Municipal Treasurers Association. Charlie had a number of hobbies including: collecting guns, boating, fishing and playing golf in which he had three hole-in-ones, two at Licking Springs Golf Course and one at The Links at Echo Springs. He also enjoyed traveling with his family when they were young and later with his wife and friends. He is survived by his wife, Eleanor Dodson Johnston; three children, Mark (Kathy) Johnston of Loveland, Ohio, Michael (Nene) Johnston of San Diego, California and Melissa Johnston of Granville; seven grandchildren, Matthew (Tara) Johnston of Wapakoneta, Ohio, Ashely Johnston of Mesa, Arizona, Randy Johnston of Gibert, Arizona, Amy (Jorge Diaz) Pahoundis of Columbus, Ohio, Holly Pahoundis of Granville, and Katie and Sarah Johnston of Loveland, Ohio; and six great-grandchildren, Noah, Truman, Marlow, Dylan, Henley and Thomas. In addition, he is survived by his brother, Robert (Karen Bonaventura) Johnston of Canal Winchester, Ohio and brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Fred and Janet Dodson of Stow, Ohio. At Charlie's request no public calling hours or services will be observed. A private celebration of life service will take place this summer when the entire family makes their annual trip to the Newark Granville area. Please visit www.hendersonvanatta.com to view a memorial and to leave a message of condolence for the Johnston family.