Mary Elizabeth Fahnestock of Commerce, OK passed from this life Tuesday, April 19, 2022 at her home. She was 83.

Mary was born April 9, 1939 in Southwest City, MO to Parker Grover and Cleo Ninette (Mitchell) Johnston. She had lived in Commerce since 2015, moving from North Miami, OK. She had worked as a nurse’s aid for area nursing homes and for Miami Baptist Hospital and Bradshaw Hospital. She was a member of Christian Faith Outreach Church in Commerce, OK.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband, John Richard Fahnestock on October 21, 2014, a great-grandson, Trey Leon Bonham, her parents, 6 brothers, Junior Johnston, Virgil Johnston, Floyd Johnston, Hubert Johnston, Jim Johnston and Dale Johnston and 2 sisters, Thelma Walker and Pearl Atkinson.

Mary is survived by her companion and the father of their four daughters, Denny Mercer of the home, her daughters, Charlotte Leonard and her husband Jerry of Miami, OK, Sandy Williams and her husband Darrell of Fairland, OK, Carla Reece and her husband Oreland of Miami, OK, Louise Kissee and her husband Clint of Miami, OK, Traci Blizzard of Miami, OK and LuAnn Barnhart of Miami, OK, 2 brothers, Marvin Johnston and Eldon Johnston of Miami, OK, 24 grandchildren, 46 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandson.

Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Friday, April 22, 2022 at Christian Faith Outreach Church in Commerce, OK with Rev. Donnie Williams officiating. Interment will follow in Ottawa Indian Cemetery, southeast of Miami, OK. The family will receive friends Thursday evening from 6-8 p.m. at Paul Thomas Funeral Home Chapel in Miami, OK. Services have been placed in the care of Paul Thomas Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Miami, OK. Online condolences may be made at www.paulthomasfuneralhomes.com.