Obituary
Janice Mae Johnston

Janice Mae Johnston, age 85, of Fremont, Ohio—most recently residing in Fuquay Varina, North Carolina—passed away peacefully at her home on Monday, October 27, 2025. Born on April 2, 1940, in Diana, West Virginia, Janice was the daughter of Silas and Ida Pearl (Hamrick) Cogar. She graduated from Webster Springs High School in 1958 and later married the love of her life, Dale Paul Johnston, on July 22, 1961, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Fremont. Janice dedicated many years to customer service at Crescent Manufacturing in Fremont, retiring in 2008. She was a longtime member of St. John's Lutheran Church, where she actively participated in funeral dinners and the apple dumpling fundraiser. She also volunteered at Memorial Hospital and the Hayes Presidential Center, and was a proud member of the Hayes Center Croquet Club. Janice had a passion for quilting, reading, gardening, and spending time outdoors. She especially cherished moments with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She and Dale shared a love of travel, exploring destinations such as Hawaii, Aruba, Italy, Austria, New Orleans, Florida, California, Oregon, Wisconsin, Chicago, and the Northeastern United States. She is survived by her devoted husband, Dale Johnston; daughters Jennifer (Ed) Forster, Jill (Scott) Dewey, and Julie (Brian) Gonya; grandchildren Amanda (Geoffrey) Jackson, Ashley Gonya, Kaitlin (Steven Hoppe) Dewey, Audrey Dewey, and Dale Dewey; and great-grandchildren Adam and Samuel Jackson. Janice was preceded in death by her parents and siblings: Bertie Clifton, Linda Ringeisen, Lola Tracy, Bethel Frame, Wayman, Harold, Daniel, Ralph, and Coleman Cogar. A memorial service will be held at a later date, officiated by Pastor Matthew Wheeler. Interment will follow at Greenlawn Memory Gardens in Clyde, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to St. John's Lutheran Church in Fremont, Ohio. Online condolences may be shared at www.hermanfh.com.