GROVE CITY, Pa. (MyValleyTributes) – Jeral R. Johnson, age 88, formerly of E. Prospect Street in Girard, passed away on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at Doctor’s Hospital in Columbus, surrounded by the love and comfort of his family.

Jeral was born Aug. 1, 1937, in Youngstown, a son of the late Jeral and Elizabeth Hulick Johnson and was a lifelong area resident.

He was a 1954 graduate of McDonald High School and proudly served his country in the United States Navy as a sonar man, attaining the rank of petty officer.

Following his military service, Jeral worked as a crane operator at U.S. Steel for 27 years. He also dedicated 40 years of service to the United States Postal Service as a letter carrier.

Jeral was a member of St. Rose Church in Girard and the Elks Lodge 37 in Columbus. In his younger years, he was an avid bowler who participated in numerous leagues and achieved the rare accomplishment of bowling a perfect 300 game. He also enjoyed golfing and visiting casinos. Above all, Jeral cherished the time he spent with his family, especially his grandchildren.

Jeral leaves to cherish his memory his two daughters, Karen (Todd) Scarbrough, with whom he made his home and Janeen (Robert) Pasho of Marshallville; two grandsons, Ryan Pasho (fiancée, Ella Pumneo) of Rittman and Derek Pasho of Marshallville; two brothers, Robert Johnson of Greensburg, Pennsylvania and Thomas (Lindsay) Johnson of Big Bear, California; his sister, Bonnie (Rick) Sanchez of Akron; and many extended family members.

His wife of 53 years, the former Patricia J. Kozyro, whom he married April 24, 1965, died on June 21, 2018.

In addition to his wife and parents, Jeral was preceded in death by a sister, Judith Johnson; and a sister-in-law, Debra Johnson.

Family and friends may call from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m., on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at Kinnick Funeral Home, 222 S. State St., Girard. Funeral services will begin at 10:30 a.m., at the funeral home and continue with a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 11:00 a.m., at St. Rose Church, 48 E. Main St., Girard.

Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Youngstown, where Jeral will be laid to rest beside his beloved wife.

In lieu of flowers, Jeral’s family suggests memorial contributions be made to Elks Lodge 37, 2140 Sonora Drive, Grove City, OH 43123, St. Rose Church, or to a local veterans organization of the donor’s choosing.

A television tribute will air Monday, June 15, at the following approximate times: 6:47 a.m. on WYTV, 9:43 a.m. on WKBN, 10:58 a.m. on FOX and 8:12 p.m. on MyYTV. Video will be posted here the day of airing.

A top Pennsylvania high school football team has relieved its head coach from that position following a major controversy.

In a report by CBS News out of Pittsburgh, McKeesport High School’s Matt Miller has resigned as the head coach after his entire coaching staff was not rehired.

Report: Members Of Coaching Staff Involved In Murder Trial

The decision to not bring back members of Miller’s staff at McKeesport came about following a 2016 incident that grew to include involvment in a murder trial.

“While I am deeply disappointed by these decisions, my main concern, as always, is for the student athletes who will be impacted by these actions,” Miller said in a statement provided to the site. “My coaching staff and I have consistently led a successful program with accomplishments that speak for themselves.”

The latest controversy came about with the sentencing of Isaac Smith, who was convicted of killing Karli Short, the daughter of Brandon Short, along with her unborn baby. Smith was sentenced to life in prison for the 2021 murder.

Incident Took Life Of Former NFL Player Brandon Short’s Daughter, Unborn Baby

Short played in the NFL and was a standout at Penn State University. He stated in the report that a former teammate testified as a character witness on behalf of Smith and that two of those men were members of the Church of Life in Christ, which is headed by Pastor Guy Miller, the father of Matt Miller. Allen Wright, also a former player, said that two character witnesses for Smith were assistant coaches on the team.

Matt Hotlzman, part of the McKeesport Board of Directors, stated during a meeting with the board that he was “calling for the resignation of this entire football coaching staff right now.”

School Board Of Directors Made Decision To Remove All Members Of Coaching Staff

McKeesport Superintendent Donald MacFann said in a statement posted to the school’s official Facebook page that the board has “voted ot table the hiring of football coaches due to personnel-related matters,” and that “the District is unable to disclose additional details.”

The Tigers went 9-4 in 2025, including a perfect 5-0 league record. They were defeated by Aliquippa, 21-12, in the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League Class 4A championship game. McKeesport entered the game as the No. 1 team, but a late touchdown pass on fourth-and-long secured the 21st championship for Aliquippa.

Under Miller, the Tigers have had plenty of success, including multiple nine-plus win seasons. They never finished with a losing record.

McKeesport is set to open the 2026 season against Brashear at home on Friday, August 28.