Services for R.L. Johnston, 81, of West Monroe, formerly of Vidalia, who died Monday, March 26, 2007, following a lengthy illness, will be 2 p.m. today at the Mulhearn Funeral Home Chapel, Sterlington Road, with the Rev. Charlie Hood, Chaplin of the Northeast Louisiana War, officiating.

Burial will follow at Mulhearn Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Mulhearn Funeral Home, Monroe.

Mr. Johnston was born in Sikes, La., where he attended school and practiced his faith as a Baptist. He served his country in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Following his tour of duty, he married Martha Crain, his wife of 60 years. They resided in West Monroe for five years during his employment with Brown Paper Mill. Much of his life, however, was spent in Vidalia where he was Branch Manager for Louisiana Machinery Company. He retired from Louisiana Machinery after 39 years of service.

Survivors include his wife, Martha Crain Johnston; daughter, Jamie Biedenharn and husband, Jay, of Fort Worth, Texas; son, Joseph “Joey” Johnston and wife, Michele, of Monroe; grandsons, James Biedenharn and wife, Kelly, of Fort Worth, Joe Biedenharn of Dallas, Texas and Joseph Tucker Johnston of West Monroe; granddaughter, Jamie Perkins and husband, Jonathan, of Fort Worth; great-grandsons, Jackson Perkins and Benjamin Perkins; and numerous nieces and nephews.