SULLIVAN – Reta J. Johnson, 86, died June 20, 2009, at an Ellsworth hospital. She was born Aug. 29, 1922, in Gouldsboro, the daughter of Orton E. and Jessie (Lindsey) Myrick. Reta enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, traveling and doing puzzles. She was an avid cook. She worked on a lobster boat for both her husband and her son for many years. She was a member of Birch Harbor Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday school for many years, was a member of First Community Church, Dade City, Fla., and was a former member of the Grange. She is survived by two sons, Orton Preble and wife, Jane, of Hancock and Ralph Preble and wife, Joan, of Ellsworth; a daughter, Helen Leighton and husband, Wesley, of East Holden; eight grandchildren, David, Vanessa, John, Brenda, Craig, Lisa, Bethany and Stephanie; 15 great-grandchildren, 11 great- great-grandchildren; sister, Gwendolyn Renwick of Milbridge; many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her first husband, John Preble; her second husband, Allan Wilkinson; and third husband, Ellis Johnson. A memorial service will be held 5 p.m. Thursday, June 25, at Jordan-Fernald, 113 Franklin St., Ellsworth. At a later date, Reta will be interred at Simpson Cemetery, Sullivan, with John Preble, her first husband and father of her children. Contributions in Reta’s memory may be made to Birch Harbor Baptist Church, care of Susan Scott, P.O. Box 625, Birch Harbor, ME 04613. Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com.
RETA J. JOHNSON
