Kenneth Merlyn JohnstonSept. 3, 1939 - Jan. 10, 2009Ken's spirit left this earth peacefully at his home on Saturday with his immediate family present.  Hospice made this possible with their kindness, help and expertise. Ken was born in Albany to Erman and Erma (Mesman) Johnston who are still residing in the Mennonite Village.  Ken lived in Albany his whole life, attending Albany schools.  In high school his desire to play football led him to Salem Academy in West Salem.  He was attending Albany First Assembly before his latest illness.Ken had worked for Simpson and Oregon Metallurgical upon leaving high school.  Then he went to work for Wah Chang in the Research and Development Lab.  During the big layoff, he went to work for U.S. Plywood in Lebanon working in the lab.  In short time, he went to the plant's PFl division as a supervisor.  He continued in this position even after Champion International bought the plant from U.S. Plywood. When Champion closed the doors, he was one of the last to leave.  He was asked by Sherwin-Williams to be an area representative for the chemical coatings division; he spent approximately the next 15 years traveling Oregon, some of Washington and some in California.  Due to the effects of a late discovery of diabetes, he had to take physical disability retirement.A few years ago, Ken was diagnosed with lymphoma and underwent chemo treatment, and in January 2008 he had aggressive chemotherapy.  Ken made many friends in his travels and cared about all of them.  He had many doctors and nurses along his journey, and he cared about everyone of them as well.  He respected and trusted their plans, appreciated their concern for him, and prayed for them.  Those of us that had the privilege to know this quiet man, who loved to fish and hunt, will miss him, his sense of humor, his help and vast range of information.Ken is survived by his parents, Erman and Erma Johnston, and mother-in-law Sally Koop, all of whom are in their late 90's and residing in Albany; wife Betty; son Keith of Albany; future daughter-in-law Kristi Long of Salem; son Scott and wife Sally along with their children Amanda, Julia and Jack, all of Moscow, Idaho; brothers Gary and wife Janet Johnston, and Steve and wife Darlynn Johnston both of Albany; brother-in-law Roy and  wife Jeanette Koop of Vancouver, Wash.; sister-in-law Dorothy and husband Wayne Phillips of Perrydale, Ore; and many nieces and nephews.A celebration of life will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at AAsum-Dufour Funeral Home.  Memorial contributions may be made to Evergreen Hospice in care of the funeral home.  AAsum-Dufour Funeral Home is handling the arrangements ( www.aasum-dufour.com ).