Charles L. Johnston, age 79, of Elkhart passed away on January 14, 2016 at 2:30 AM in the Elkhart Hospice House. He was born January 17, 1936 to Leroy and Marvel (Belltruman) Johnston in Morley, Michigan. After graduating from high school, Charles enlisted in the United States Army and served honorably from January 1955 to January 1957. On November 13, 1976, Charles married Virginia Oakley. She preceded him in death. Mr. Johnston was a tool and die maker and worked for Crown and Manchester Tank. He was a member of the Elkhart American Legion and VFW and was a lifetime area resident. Charles is survived by his children, Linda Brooks of Michigan City, IN, Patty Ropson of Green Bay, WI, Michael Johnston Sr. of Green Bay, WI, Chuck Johnston of Ionia, MI, Steve (Tina) Johnston of Lyons, MI, Tammy (Loren) Huhn, Hubbersten, MI, Jessica Johnston, of Elkhart, IN, and Jennifer (Rob) Hall of Elkhart, IN; stepchildren, Vicki (Charles) Yarger, Stanford, MI, Paula (Benny) Stanford, of Fisk, MO, Robin (Mark) Wrathell of Elkhart, IN, and Paul (Angie) Schoenborn of Elkhart, IN; 49 grandchildren; 35 great grandchildren; his siblings, Elizabeth (Ron) Jones of Greenville, MI, Pat Johnston of Goshen, IN, Reverend Jerry (Bonnie) Johnston of Pinconning, MI, Alvin (Jill) Johnston of Clarksville, MI, Wanda (Denny) Mushler, Saranac, MI. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Virginia; and a sister, Delores Johnston. Friend may call Friday, January 22, 2016 from 4-8 PM at Chapel Hill Funeral Home, 10776 McKinley Hwy. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 30, 2016 at 10 AM in the funeral home. Interment to follow in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens.. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Elkhart Hospice House, 22579 Old US 20 East, Elkhart, IN 46516 or Wounded Warrior Project, P. O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675.