On Saturday, October 28, 2017, a beautiful spirit left this earth. Thelma Louise (Iseman) Johnston departed this life to be joyfully reunited with her loved ones on the other side of the veil. She was born July 12, 1934, in Manor Township, Armstrong County, PA, to Walter John and Ethel Alverda (Fox) Iseman. She was the third of six children.

Louise graduated from Ford City High School. She married Edson (Buzz) Johnston June 10, 1955 in Winchester, VA. They later moved to Washington DC, where she worked for the FBI Fingerprinting Division. She later worked for the US Department of Defense, Defense Mapping, as a cartographer for 25 years. After making their home in Virginia for 26 years, she and Buzz moved back to PA in 1985 where they opened and operated B&L Baby furniture store in Lower Burrell.

Louise was active in the community. She was Chief Stewart for Lodge #805 of the Masons for 28 years. She was a part of the decorating committee for the Scottish Rite Body Consistory of Coudersport. Louise adopted families for Christmas through community action and provided gifts for needy children. She was also a member of the New Kensington chapter of Eastern Stars #158 and was the treasurer of Baker Trail Cedarettes #180. She belonged to Saxonburg District Women’s Club, the Sassy Lassies Red Hats, and Post #683 of the American Legion. She was an inspector for the local Election Board for about 30 years. She was also a docent at Saxonburg Museum.

Louise was the "energizer bunny" personified, always doing something. She loved to bowl and even went to State Finals. She also loved to play golf, square dance, bike, and play cards. She belonged to several card clubs. She enjoyed hand work such as embroidering, quilt making, crocheting lap robes for the veterans, sewing dresses for Little Dresses for Africa and cake decorating having made several wedding cakes. She loved ceramics and even had her own kiln. She also loved boating, fishing, crabbing, RVing. She enjoyed yard work and gardening and took pride in it. She enjoyed traveling both in and out of the country to such places as Egypt, Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, Mexico and Nova Scotia. She and Buzz were happy hosts of many New Year’s Eve parties at their home. She was loved by all who knew her.

Louise was a natural nurturer and cared for her mother, father and husband for many years as they completed their sojourn here on earth.

She is survived by her sister, Ruth (James) Saur of East Greenbush, NY and Walter Jack (Ruby) Iseman of Monroe Center, IL, as well as nieces Linda (Bob) Fox, Doris (Donald) Snyder, Diane (Mark) Wagner, Cynthia (David) Archer, Janice (Andrew) Smith, Bethany Iseman, and nephews Edward Iseman, Keith Saur, and Thomas Iseman. She is also survived by a great niece Jennifer Prazenica, great nephews Jason Fox and Daniel Millham and 5 great great nieces as well as her many good friends whom she dearly loved.

Louise was predeceased by her beloved husband of 52 years, Edson (Buzz) Johnston, her parents, John and Alverda Iseman, three brothers, John Fox Iseman, Edward Carl Iseman, and Kenneth George Iseman, nephew, Robert Harvey Iseman and great nephew Timothy Carl Iseman, and several dear friends.

Calling hours at Fox Funeral Home, Main Street, Saxonburg will be from 2 PM to 6 PM on Wednesday, November 1, 2017. Funeral services from Fox Funeral Home at 11 AM on Thursday, November 2, 2017. Interment will be in the mausoleum at Greenwood Memorial Cemetery, Lower Burrell.

The family would like to thank the staff at Passavant Cancer Center in Pittsburg for the outstanding care she received.

"It Is Well with My Soul"

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