David Ross Johnson, age 76 of Marysville and formerly of New Philadelphia, passed peacefully, on Tuesday, February 28, 2023, with his loving family by his side, following a period of declining health.
Born in Massillon, Ohio on July 17, 1946, Dave was a son of the late Paul and Alvis Andrews Johnson.
Dave was a proud Massillon Tiger having graduated from Massillon-Washington High School, in 1964. Shortly after his graduation he entered the United States Navy and was a member of the Navy Band. During his service, he was stationed in Kodiak, Alaska and took advantage of his free-time by learning the trade of Piano Tuning earning his certification as a Master Piano Tuner.
After his honorable discharge, Dave continued his path as a piano tuner and owned and operated Johnson’s Piano Service for 50 years. For the last 10 years prior to his retirement, Dave picked up an additional trade and became a bus driver for New Philadelphia City Schools.
A kind, gentle, soul, Dave was a lifelong member of the United Church of Christ having held memberships at New Philadelphia, Dover, and most recently, Delaware churches. He was proud of the fact that he was recognized as a Certified Partner in Ministry. For many years, Dave was a faithful supporter and active member of the New Philadelphia Band Boosters and served as a past president of the Vocal Majority. Moreover, Dave found great joy in supporting the activities of his daughters and enjoyed collecting N-gauge trains.
Surviving is his wife of 51 years, the former Eileen Burke, whom he married on August 7, 1971; a daughter, Erin (John) Moore of Delaware, Ohio; a son-in-law, John Bartos of West Chester, Ohio; a brother, Jim Johnson of New Jersey, his nieces and a nephew.
In addition to his mother and father, Dave was preceded in death by a daughter, Jennifer Bartos, and a brother and sister-in-law, Phil and Carol Johnson.
The family will receive guests on Tuesday, March 7, 2023, from 5:00 – 7:00 PM in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia where Pastor Dotty Hartzel will lead a service celebrating Dave’s life in the funeral home’s chapel at 7:00 PM. Concluding the service, members of the Carl C. Stoller Post 1445 of the New Philadelphia VFW will render military honors. A private burial will take place in the Sunset Hills Memory Gardens at Canton.
Memorial contributions in Dave’s name may be directed to Viaquest Hospice 171 Morey Drive Suite B., Marysville, Ohio 43040.
Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory
116 Second Street NE, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663
www.geibfuneral.com
Geib Funeral Service
5600 North Wooster Avenue, Dover, Ohio 44622
Geib Pet Crematory
5600 North Wooster Avenue, Dover, Ohio 44622