Marilyn Sue Johnston, age 92 of Empire, Ohio passed away Tuesday December 9, 2025 at the Valley Hospice Care Center North.

She was born March 2, 1933 in Chester West Virginia the daughter of the late Floyd and Nettie (Carpenter) Wright.

Marilyn was a member of the Empire United Methodist Church (now the Empire Community Church). She also had memberships at the Steubenville and East Liverpool Beagle Clubs. Kennel name, Hightone. She was a 1951 graduate of Chester High School.

Marilyn was an avid loyal fan of the Ohio State Buckeyes, the Pittsburgh Pirates and Steelers.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Charles "Sonny" Johnston October 9, 2004whom she married January 6, 1951 and a brother Wallace Wright.

Marilyn's family includes her sons, Thomas Wesley Johnston and wife Rebecca and Charles Lee Johnston; grandchildren, Dr. Sarah Gutherie and husband Austin, Kathleen Compton and husband Nathan and Thomas Johnston and six great-grandchildren.

Marilyn's family sends special thanks to the staff of Country Club Manor, the fifth floor of Trinity Medical Center and Valley Hospice.

Friends and family will gather for visitation from 11 AM to 1PM Monday December 15th at the Clarke Funeral Home, Toronto. A celebration of Marilyn's life will take place at 1 PM Monday at the funeral home with Pastor Justin Tolman officiating.  Interment will follow at the Sugar Grove Union Cemetery.

For those wishing to make a donation in Marilyn's memory, her family suggests the donor's choice of charities.

Donor's Choice of Charities