Vena Blanche Johnson, 86, of Woodrise Road, Charlestown, NH, died at her home Saturday morning, March 6, 2010 surrounded by her family.

She was born in Charlestown, NH on September 21, 1923, the daughter of Edward George and Clarisan (Pike) Merrill and resided in Charlestown and Claremont most of her life. She spent twenty eight winters in Florida.

She was a graduate of the Charlestown Holden School.

Vena worked as a machinist during the war at Fellows Gear Shaper in Springfield, VT, as a cone winder at the Charlestown Woolen Mill, the Sylvania Electronic Plant in Hillsboro and also as a waitress at the Old Young’s Diner and Trolley Stop in Charlestown. 

She was a member of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, attended the North Charlestown United Methodist Church, a member of the VFW Auxiliary Post #8497of Charlestown, a member of the Claremont Chapter #629 Ladies of the Moose and the College of Regents of the Moose.

She enjoyed crafts, flea markets, yard sales and mostly spending time with her family and friends.

Vena was the widow of Milan H. Johnson, Sr. who died July 31, 1991.

The surviving family includes one daughter, Helen M Chase and her husband Kenneth of Charlestown; one daughter-in-law Marsha Bailey of Charlestown; eight grandchildren; several great-grandchildren;

one great-great grandson; one foster daughter, Micki Storey; four foster grandchildren; several foster great-grandchildren; two step-sons, David Mercier and Milan Johnson, Jr.; three step-daughters, Marilyn Trussell, Maria Wright and Susan Johnson; several step-grandchildren and several step great-grandchildren; one brother, Jack Merrill of Boston, MA; one sister-in-law Alice Merrill of Charlestown; Also several nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was predeceased by one son, Jon W. Bailey; four brothers and three sister-in-laws, Donovan and Mary Merrill, Linwood and Irene Merrill, Stanley Merrill and Hercy and Martha Merrill; three sisters and three brother-in law, Myrtle and herman Clark, Rena and Raymond Wilder and Doris and Dayton Russell; two great-grandson, Justin Michael Heath and McKuy Jonathan Chase.

Funeral services will be held at the Stringer Funeral Home, 146 Broad St. Claremont, Saturday, March 13^th at 3pm with Pastor Ken LaClair of the First Baptist Church officiating.

Visiting hours will be held on Friday evening March 12^th from 6 to 8pm and Saturday afternoon from 2 to 3pm prior to the service.

Burial will be in the spring in Forest Hills Cemetery in Charlestown.