Entombment services for Helen Marjorie “Marnie” Johnston were held at Magnolia Memorial Gardens on Friday, April 7, 2017 at 11:00 am. Officiating was Pastor Katie Hill of the Bristow First United Methodist Church. Serving as honorary bearers were Tony Darnell, Ricky Darnell, Tyler Chambers, Chris Morecraft, Barry Watson, and Rick Murray. Arrangements were entrusted to the care of Michael’s Funeral Home of Bristow, OK.

Helen Marjorie “Marnie” Johnston was born in Burlington Junction, MO on July 27, 1923 to the late J. Dale Ashford and Neola Merle (Saxton) Ashford. She passed from this life at Wildwood Care Center in Tulsa, OK on April 2, 2017 at the age of 93 years, 8 months, & 6 days. Marnie was raised & educated in Quitman, Missouri & was a 1940 graduate of Quitman High School. She and Dale Edward Johnston were united in marriage in Skidmore, Missouri on December 14, 1941 and from this union were born Lois Irene and Gary Dale. The family moved to Bristow, OK in 1958. She worked at Southwest Pecan for 9 years & then later at Frankoma Pottery for 25 years until the company closed. She served as Worthy Matron of the Order of the Eastern Star at Quitman, Mo in 1951 & was also president of the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary at both Burlington Junction & Bristow. Marnie had attended a Methodist Church all of her life and was a member of the Bristow First United Methodist Church. She enjoyed crocheting, embroidery, genealogy, photography, arts & crafts, & was a collector of foreign coins, salt & pepper shakers, & angels, which she favored most. She also loved to travel and considered a particular trip to Hawaii as the highlight of her life. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her HUSBAND: Dale; her SON: Gary; a GREAT-GRANDSON: Christopher Jacob Ware; 2 BROTHERS: Paul Ashford & Duane Ashford; and 1 SISTER: Wanda Garner.

Those left to mourn her passing include her DAUGHTER: Lois Irene Darnell & husband Mitchell;
7 GRANDCHILDREN; 15 GREAT-GRANDCHILDREN; 5 GREAT-GREAT-GRANDCHILDREN;
and a host of other relatives & friends.
Condolences may be made online at www.michaelsfuneralservices.com