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Sabina Aleeta "Bina" (Miner) Johnston was born on Oct. 21, 1900 in Bolivar, Polk County, MO, the daughter of Daniel Lucas and Mary Elizabeth (Hodges) Minerd.

As a girl, she moved with her parents and siblings to Iowa and grew up in Bagley, Guthrie County, IA. 

On Feb. 23, 1922, in Des Moines, Polk County, the 21-year-old Sabina married Ralph Edgar Johnston (1897-1963), a native of Peoria, Peoria County, IL. They soonafter moved to Wisconsin.

The pair together bore seven children -- Ralph J. Johnston, Robert E. Johnston, Genevieve J. "Kiki" Johnston, Findley D. Johnston, Margaret "MaryAnn" Carlton, Joann Palmer and Betty R. Leadingham Sidener. Sadly, son Findley died at age two months in New Orleans on June 4, 1931.

The Johnstons rented a house at 2616 51st Avenue in Kenosha, WI when the federal census of 1930 was taken. Ralph worked in Kenosha as a form setter for street construction.

Between 1931 and 1935, the Johnstons made a home in New Orleans, where their daughter Mary Ann was born in 1932. Then between 1935 and 1935, they migrated again, settling in Ohio. In 1938, their daughter Betty was born in Ray, Vinton County, OH. 

Columbus, capitol city of Ohio

The federal census enumeration of 1940 places the family in Jackson, Jackson County, OH, with Ralph's occupation shown as a road construction laborer for the Works Progress Administration. The WPA was one of the ways President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and the federal government tried to overcome unemployment during the Great Depression. It is widely considered one of the Roosevelt's largest and most ambitious undertakings of his "New Deal" to get the nation back on sound economic footing. Over the years, the WPA hired millions of out-of-work individuals to build public works projects, such as roads, bridges, retaining walls and buildings.

At some point they lived in Chillicothe, Ross County, OH and by 1959 moved into Columbus, Franklin County, OH. Their address in 1959 was 2494 Parkwood Avenue, with him employed as a laborer with Borden Foods.

Ralph passed away in Columbus on Aug. 12, 1963, at age 66.

Sabina outlived him by 23 years, and earned a living as head cook for a dairy food operation. 

At the age of 85, she died in Delaware Park Care Center near Columbus on June 2, 1986. Interment was in Salem Cemetery in Meade, OH. An obituary was published in the Chillicothe Gazette.

~ Son Ralph Junior Johnston ~

Son Ralph Junior Johnston (1926-1997) was born on May 19, 1926 in the village of Yale, Guthrie County, IA. Dr. W.V. Thornburg assisted in the birth.

He joined the Church of God in young manhood and was a graduate of Allensville (OH) High School. When required to register for the military draft circa 1944, he lived in Londonderry, Vinton County, OH. 

During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army Air Corps and attained the rank of corporal. He trained at Buckley Field in Colorado and Camp Howze in Texas before deployment to Japan and the Philippine Islands. He was a college graduate and in 1951 dwelled in Wellston, Jackson County, OH.  

At the age of 24, on Feb. 24, 1951, he exchanged the vows of marriage with Patricia Ann Finch (Feb. 23, 1932-2006), of Springfield, OH. The wedding took place in Indiana. 

Ohio River lock and dam at Gallipolis, OH and Huntington, WV, today re-named for West Virginia Senator Robert D. Byrd

Patricia grew up in Rio Grande, Gallia County, OH and was a cheerleader and alumna of Rio Grande High School. The Johnstons put down roots in Gallipolis, OH.

Four children produced by the couple were John Jay Johnston, James J. Johnston, Sharon Evans and Karen Davison. 

For more than 25 years, Patricia was a sales representative for Avon and was a member of its Presidents Club representing the top seven percent of performers nationwide. Said the Springfield News-Sun, "Early in her motherhood she was active in the Gallia County community as a Den Mother for the Boy Scouts of American for Troop 200, and Sunday school teacher. She became active in the bowling community and became a member of several bowling leagues. She held offices in the Women's Bowling Association and was an avid bowler and stayed involved with the bowling community for over 30 years."

He succumbed to the spectre of death in Holzer Medical Center in Gallia County, OH on June 23, 1997. Interment was in Centenary Cemetery.

The widowed Patricia lived for another nine years. The angel of death swept her away on July 15, 2006. Rev. Paul Voss led the funeral rites, with burial next to her husband, and an obituary appearing in the News-Sun. The headcount of her survivors included 10 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Son John Jay Johnston (1952-1989) was born on Feb. 28, 1952 in Ohio. He dwelled in Gallipolis, Gallia County, OH and was thrice-married. His second marriage ended in divorce in February 1988. His third bride was 33-year-old Margaret Hope Smith (May 30, 1955- ? ), daughter of Kenneth and Mary Margaret (Young) Smith. They were joined in wedlock in Petersburg, Giles County, VA on Sept. 2, 1988, by Rev. Mark S. Bush. Sadly, their marriage only lasted for 15 months until John's death at age 37 on Dec. 4, 1989. He sleeps for all time in the same cemetery as his parents.

Son James J. Johnston wed Cindy. They have maintained a home in Gallipolis, OH.

Daughter Sharon Johnston entered into marriage with Richard "Rick" Evans. They migrated to Murfreesboro, TN. 

Daughter Karen Johnston grew up in Gallipolis and is a graduate of Gallia Academy High School. She married (?) Davison. Her home in 2006-2021 was in Gallipolis, OH. At the death of her uncle Nathan Harold Finch in 2021, she was named in his Springfield News-Sun obituary as "his beloved and dedicated niece 'Finch Family Historian'..." Karen at one time was employed as an engineer by Buckeye Rural Electric Cooperative.

~ Son Robert E. Johnston ~

Son Robert E. Johnston (1928-2004) was born on May 25, 1928 in Guthrie County, IA. 

He eventually moved to Ohio and settled in Ray near Chillicothe. 

On Jan. 8, 1947, he entered into marriage with Eunice Irene Maxwell (May 23, 1927-1999), daughter of Henry W. and Alice V. (Scott) Maxwell, and originally from Richland Township, Vinton County. They stayed together for a remarkable 52 years.

A trio of offspring born to this family included Robert E. Johnston, Ray Edgar Johnston and Teresa Hutchison.

Eunice was a 1946 graduate of Richland Rural High School. 

For 44 years, he was employed by Mead Paper. He also drove a school bus for the Alexander and Vinton County districts. The family resided in Ray, OH and held a membership in the Log Pile Church.

At the age of 72, Eunice died on June 9, 1999 in Adena Regional Medical Center. Her obituary appeared in the Chillicothe Gazette.

Robert lived for another five years and endured the untimely death of their son Ray. Sadly, at the age of 76, Robert passed away at home on June 30, 2004. His obituary was published in the Gazette. Funeral rites were held in the family church, conducted by the hand of Rev. James McFadden. Burial was in the church cemetery in Allensville, Vinton County.

Daughter Teresa Johnston wed John Hutchison. Together they bore three sons -- Aaron Hutchison, Nathan Hutchison and Philip Hutchison. Their home in 1999-2016 was in Albany, OH. 

• Grandson Aaron Hutchison

• Grandson Nathan Hutchison 

• Grandson Philip Hutchison 

Son Robert William Johnston (1947-2011) was born on Nov. 14, 1947 in Vinton County, OH. During the Vietnam War, he joined the U.S. Army and rose to the rank of sergeant. He married Margaret ( ? - ? ). They raised a family of four -- Brian Johnston, Tina Johnston, Tony Johnston and Jonathan Johnston. By 1999, they moved to St. Petersburg, FL. Robert surrendered to the angel of death on June 24, 2011 at the age of 63. Interment was in Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell.

• Grandson Brian Johnston tied the knot with Barbie.

• Granddaughter Tina Johnston ( ? - ? )

• Grandson Tony Johnston was joined in wedlock with Kara.

• Grandson Jonathan Johnston was united in matrimony with Erika.

Son Ray Edgar Johnston (1949-1999) was born on Jan. 21, 1949 in McArthur, Vinton County, OH. He was married to Linda S. Moore ( ? - ? ) and was the father of Brian Keith Johnston and Tina Johnston. The couple eventually divorced, and he became a companion of Pam Fee. for 15 years, Ray was employed by Dupont in Circleville, OH. He held memberships in the McArthur aerie of the Eagles and the Vinton County Veterans of Foreign Wars. Raymond lived in McArthur in the 1990s. Sadly, he passed into the arms of the heavenly host at home at age 50 on Dec. 14, 1999. An obituary was printed in the Chillicothe Gazette. Officiating the funeral was Rev. James McFadden, with interment following in the sacred soil of Log Pile Cemetery. Ex-wife Linda later wed Roger Jordan and lived in McArthur.

• Grandson Brian Keith Johnston (1966-2016) was born on Nov. 13, 1966 in Chillicothe. He was a 1985 graduate of Vinton County High School. For a decade, he was employed in Jackson, OH by  Goodyear Tire and Rubber. In his free time he liked to be out-of-doors, fishing, hunting and riding his four-wheeler. As of 1999, he was married to Lisa. In 2016, he made his home in Allensville, OH. Sadly, at the age of 49, he died at home on Nov. 6, 2016. Pastor Tim Jones presided over the funeral rites, with burial following in Log Pile Cemetery.

• Granddaughter Tina Johnston lived in McArthur, OH in 1999 and in Allensville, OH in 2016.

~ Daughter Genevieve J. "Kiki" Johnston ~

Daughter Genevieve J. "Kiki" Johnston (1929-1992) was born on April 27, 1929 in Iowa.

She does not appear to have married.

Genevieve made her home in the Columbus, OH area in the early 1990s.

Sadly, at the age of 63, she passed away in Columbus on June 2, 1992. The remains were lowered under the sod of Meade Cemetery in Circleville, Pickaway County, OH. Inscribed on the face of her grave marker are these words: "Daughter of Ralph and Sabina."

~ Daughter Margaret "MaryAnn" (Johnston) Carlton ~

Daughter Mary Ann Johnston (1932-2014) was born in 1932 in New Orleans. 

Mary Ann was united in matrimony with Edward Owen Carlton ( ? - ? ), a native of Detroit who bore the nickname "Lucky Eddie."

Two children of their union are Roger A. Carlton and Julie D. Carleton. 

Edward was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. 

The Carltons made their dwelling-place in the Cincinnati area of Ohio until Jan. 7, 1963, when they relocated to St. Petersburg, FL. They stayed put in St. Pete for the remaining half-century-plus of their lives together.

Margaret held memberships in the Daughters of the Nile and the Red Hat Society, and Edward belonged to the local lodges of the Masons and Shrine.

With her health in decline, Margaret was admitted to Suncoast Hospice Care Center South Pinellas. There she died at the age of 81 on Jan. 21, 2014. In an obituary, the family asked that any memorial gifts be made to the Shriner's Hospital for Crippled Children or to Suncoast Hospice.

The widowed Edward only survived for another five months. He was carried away by the angelic host in Palm Garden of Largo on June 9, 2014. His obituary appeared in the Tampa Bay Times.

Son Roger A. Carlton ( ? - ? ) was living as of 2014.

Daughter Julie D. Carleton ( ? - ? ) was alive in 2014.

~ Daughter Joann (Johnston) Palmer ~

Daughter Joann  Johnston  (1937- ? ) was born in about 1937 in Ohio. 

She wed (?) Palmer.

Her home in 1991 was in Columbus, OH. 

By 1999, she dwelled in Dublin, OH -- in 2004 lived in McArthur, OH -- and in 2006 was in Columbus. Nothing more about her is known.

~ Daughter Betty Ruth (Johnston) Leadingham Sidener ~

Daughter Betty Ruth Johnston (1938-1991) was born on Nov. 7, 1938 in Ray, Vinton County, OH.

She was twice-married. Her first husband was Danny Richard Leadingham Sr. (Jan. 6, 1944-2002), sometimes misspelled as "Lettingham," reflecting its pronunciation.

The brood of four offspring they bore together were Danny Richard Leadingham Jr., Angela Renee Turner, Natalie Rae Leadingham and Celeste Rayne Wilson. 

Danny is known to have served in the U.S. Army. In addition to raising her children, Betty was employed at one time by the Boys Scouts of America in Lima, OH. Their marriage ended in divorce.

On Dec. 16, 1988, at age 50, she wed her second spouse, 59-year-old widower Donald E. "Skip" Sidener ( ? -1999), son of Garrett E. "Snake" and Ella O. (Miller) Sidener. He had been married before to Lois C. Lane ( ? -1982) and brought five stepchildren into the second union -- John Sidener, Timothy Sidener, Daniel Sidener, Mary Weger and Ella Groth.

During their marriage of just over two-years' duration, they resided in Cridersville, Auglaize County, OH at the address of 32 Greentree Circle. Donald was a U.S. Army veteran, retired truck driver for ANR Trucking and a member of the Teamsters Union Local 908.

After a lengthy illness, Betty died at home at the age of 52 on Jan. 10, 1991. Her obituary was published in the Lima News. Pastor David Bryan led the funeral rites. Interment was in Salem Cemetery in Meade.

Donald outlived his wife by eight years. He passed away in Lima on Feb. 6, 1999 and was laid to rest in Memorial Park Cemetery. 

Former husband Danny Leadingham died in Scioto County, OH on July 7, 2002. His remains were interred in Sunset Memorial Gardens in Franklin Furnace, OH.

Son Daniel R. Leadingham Jr. joined the U.S. Army and in 1989 completed training at Army Infantry School at Fort Benning. He was posted in 1991 at Fort Drum, NY.

Daughter Angela Renee Leadingham entered into marriage with Art Turner. Their dwelling-place in 1991 was in Cridersville, OH and in 1999 in Michigan.

Daughter Natalie Rae Leadingham lived in Cridersville, OH in 1991 and in Florida in 1999.

Daughter Celeste Rayne Leadingham ( ? - ? ) is an alumna of Wapakoneta High School and Ohio State University. She established her residence in Columbus and in 2003 was employed by the Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League. On June 29, 2003, in nuptials held in Napa Valley, CA, she was united in matrimony with Mark Richard Wilson ( ? - ? ), son of Richard and Alice Wilson of Sidney, OH. Mark was a graduate of Sidney High School and Ohio State and made a living in 2003 with Safeway Packaging. News of their marriage and wedding photograph were printed in the Sidney Daily News. The Wilsons have dwelled in Powell, OH.