AUSTINBURG– David E. Johnson, age 65, passed away Sunday, September 27, 2026, after a short battle with ALS.

He was born June 20, 1961 in Ashtabula, Ohio, the son of Dennis and Lorraine (Baldwin) Johnson. He graduated from Ashtabula High School and the Ashtabula Vocational School in 1979.

To know Dave was to know someone who was endlessly optimistic and always rooting for the people around him. He was a helper, a doer, and a problem solver–the kind of person who looked at something broken, difficult, or complicated and immediately started figuring out how to make it better. He would show up, pitch in, fix what needed fixing, and do whatever he could for someone else.

Bowling was one of the great joys of his life. He was a member of the Ashtabula County Bowling Hall of Fame. He was a member of the Professional Bowlers Association in the 1980s and won a regional title in Indianapolis in 1981, and retirement gave him the chance to chase the dream all over again. He joined the PBA50 Senior Tour and traveled the United States bowling in national tournaments. He won several regional titles in his travels. In 2022, he won a national title at the Bud Moore Classic in Sterling, Virginia. It was a dream realized and he was absolutely thrilled. Dave currently holds the record for the longest time between regional titles in the PBA at 42 years. He once bowled three perfect games in the same day at the regional PBA tournament in Kankakee, IL. In the recent past, after retiring from the PBA50, he enjoyed being a coach for the Edgewood Senior High School Bowling Team. He got a lot of joy working with the students at practices and tournaments.

On the bowling lanes he was actually someone who rooted for his opponent. One of his favorite encouragements, after he himself had just gotten a strike, was to say to his opponent “I got mine, now you get yours.” This embodies how he cheered on his opponents even in the tightest matches. He could be in the final match of a tournament bowling for the win and still be enthusiastically rooting for his opponent. Fellow bowlers often say what a rare quality that was amongst competitors.

Off the bowling lanes, Dave was a utility worker at First Energy for 35 years, where he was an advocate for his fellow workers. On the side, he was a handyman and a carpenter working for friends and family all over northeast Ohio. He particularly enjoyed installing drywall and finishing living spaces. Every fall, Dave looked forward to deer hunting with his crossbow. He enjoyed harvesting trophy bucks he proudly displayed in his home. Otherwise, you’d find Dave with a Mountain Dew at his elbow and scratching a lottery ticket or rolling the dice at a craps game. Whether at work, in someone’s home, or on the lanes, Dave had the most fun when he was helping others, solving a problem, or doing something useful.

Family was a huge part of Dave’s life. He had two children, David Earl Jr., and Deanna Audrey. He loved his children and grandchildren immensely. Family vacations were a priority every year.

Dave was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife and the mother of his children, Debbie, and his sister, Kathy.

He is survived by his two children, David Earl Johnson ,Jr., and Deanna Audrey (Jeff) Offenberg; grandchildrenTryden, Trenton, Carson, and Jameson Offenberg. Also surviving are sisters Christina (Rick) Williams, Stacey Johnson, and Barbara (Curtis) Severino, and hisbrothers Dennis Johnson, Jr., and Alex Johnson. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Friends and family will be received at Guerriero Funeral Home, 1550 West 19th St., Ashtabula, OH, from 4 to 7 pm on Friday, October 2, 2026. with the final half hour for the sharing of stories. A celebration of life party will be held Saturday October 3, from 5 pm to 7 pm at El Camp Lanes & Pat’s Fireside Pizza, 240 Stadium Ave. Conneaut, OH. condolences can be made at guerrierofuneralhome.com