Owen Royal Johnstun's Obituary
Owen Royal Johnstun was born in Vernal, Utah on September 29, 1924. He passed away on October 2, 2010 at his home in St. Helens.
He was the second son of Owen Henry Johnstun and Mabel Claire Anderson. His siblings Emil Johnstun, Iris Tolman, Eunice Andrews, and Carol Arnold survive him, while his brother Alma Johnstun preceded him in death.
Royal and Betty have six children; Neva Johnstun of St. Helens, Janeal Carney of Boise, Idaho, Ruth Pope and Marion Johnstun of Rexburg, Idaho, Laura Armstrong of Aloha, and Jesse Johnstun of St. Helens.
They have 26 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. In addition they had three foster children; Chuck Tarbell, Martin Oliverson, and Kevin Walker.
When Royal was 15 years old, he and his brother Emil and friend Cedric Olsen rebuilt an old truck an moved the family belongings to catch up with his parents and younger brother and sisters in Rainier.
From 1943 to 1945 he served in the 87th Regiment of the 10th Mountain Division. He was a machine gunner in ?L? Company and was wounded by artillery in April 1945 on the breakout to the Po Valley in Italy.
When Royal returned from the service, he met and married his wife of 62 years, Mary Elisabeth Betty Poorman. Instead of an engagement ring they built a little house on Bachelor Flat Road.
Royal became a union carpenter, apprenticing under Joe England. He was a carpenter, contractor, and cabinetmaker of exceptional skill.
In 1970, he bought Royal Quick Clean Laundromat and Drycleaners, which he operated until selling them to his sons.
He never retired from carpentry, as he used his skills to continually improve his home and those of many others without charge.
Royal was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in many positions including the office of Bishop from 1980-1985. Royal and Betty served a proselytizing mission in Nigeria and a service mission in Arizona.
They spent many years caring for their aging parents. Royal enjoyed gardening, building projects and wood turning.
Royal always gave much more than he ever took.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on October 7, 2010 at the St. Helens Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and the dedication of the grave will be at Bethany Memorial Cemetery in Warren.
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