Henry Raymond Young's Obituary
DECATUR ' Henry Raymond Young, 82, of Decatur, passed away at 11:16 a.m. Tuesday, December 23, 2008 at home with his family by his side.
Gathering of family and friends to express their love will be held from 1-2 pm, Friday, December 26, 2008 in Moran and Goebel Funeral Home, Decatur with military services to follow by the Macon County Honor Guard. Memorials may be given to the Decatur Memorial Hospital Hospice or the Cancer Care Specialists Relay for Life Team.
Henry was born on February 9, 1926 at home in San Francisco, California, the son of Henry Phillip and Ruth Marie Young. At the age of 17, he joined the U.S. Merchant Marines serving four years and fought in the South Pacific during WWII. He later joined the U.S. Air Force and took his basic training at Lackland A.F.B. in Texas. He was stationed at Rantoul, IL; Dennison, TX; Presque Isle, Maine; and Reykjavik, Iceland. He served four years in the U.S. Air Force as a Staff Sargeant, working in aircraft electronics and early jet aircraft avionics during the Korean War.
After the war, in 1956, he returned to Decatur and graduated from Brown’s Business College. He began his career at Decatur Foundry as a truck driver and worked his way up becoming president in 1963. After 39 years of leadership and service, he retired as president in 1995.
In the 1970’s, under President Henry R. Young, the Decatur Foundry expanded into supplying gray and ductile iron castings to pump, valve and electric motor industries.
Hank was a very strong, self-reliant man, and he prided himself in his ability to find a solution for any problem. Among his many talents, he was a skilled carpenter and mechanic, and an enthusiastic vegetable gardener. He loved to share his sour dough bread, soups of every savor, and ever searched for the perfect fried chicken recipe. There were few men who believed in strength of family, joy of encouragement and giving. He was a humble, hardworking man. He had a genuine sense of humor and honesty that was an inspiration to family and friends. Hank married Barbara Jean Johnson on April 5, 1953 in Decatur, IL.
Hank is survived by his wife of 55 years, Barbara Jean; son, Terry Ray and wife Julie Ann of Long Creek, IL; daughter, Carol Ann and husband Larry Stevens of Decatur, IL; son, Tommy Lee and wife Karen Lee of Mt. Zion, IL; and daughter Connie Jean and husband Jeffery Heinz of Maroa, IL. Being the first born of five brothers; remaining brothers are Rusty, Bob, and Jerry.
Grandchildren: Jobeth and Henry James Young, Barbara Ann Stevens, Justin Lee and wife Jennifer Lynn, Jennifer Lee and Jeremy Lee Young, Rex Raymond and wife Jaime Nichole and Darci Nicole Goodman, Megan Lynn Heinz; two great grandchildren: Jordan Christopher Goodman-Street and Mason Lee Young.
He was preceded in death by his parents; Henry Phillip and Ruth Marie; and one brother, Barry.
Special thanks to Dr. Wade and the nurses and staff of CCSCI and Decatur Memorial Hospital Hospice Care for helping to take care of Hank. Also special thanks to many friends for loving care and friendship to both Hank and Barbara. Thank you, extended family members and friends who faithfully kept in contact with Hank and Barbara and assisted them with their needs. Hank will be remembered as a man who came from a full and most joyful childhood in the islands of the Pacific, in the city of San Francisco, and his beloved Pacific Ocean, California coastline, and the San Francisco 49ers. He is remembered for his honesty and as a caring husband and father. He was always willing to help a friend or family member in need. He showed his love to his family by the many things he did to make their lives better. He will be greatly missed. One last request was to have his ashes laid to rest in the Pacific Ocean along with those of his parents and brother, Barry.
The family of Henry Raymond Young is being served by Moran & Goebel Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 2801 N. Monroe Street, Decatur.
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