Kenneth A. Youngs

YOUNGS, Kenneth A.
Of Kalamazoo Passed away peacefully Saturday morning, January 29, 2011 surrounded by family at the Friendship Village Woodside/ Health Center where he resided for the past 7 years. Ken was born May 4, 1928 in Kalamazoo the son of Cyril and Florence Donkerbrook Youngs and had been a life long resident in the Kalamazoo area. He grew up spending summers at Wall Lake in Delton. He was a graduate of Kalamazoo Central High School and Kalamazoo College where he was a football standout. Prior to his retirement he was employed for over 30 years as a chemist with the Upjohn Company. Ken enjoyed flower gardening, yard work and raising Christmas trees on the family farm. Spending time at the family cottage on Gull Lake was a great enjoyment for Ken with fishing, skiing, boating and large family picnics on Sunday afternoons. He enjoyed watching professional sports and was a Chicago Cubs fanatic. Ken was a loving husband and father with a great sense of humor and enjoyed spending time with his family. On June 17, 1950 he was united in marriage to his loving wife of 45 years, the former Lorraine Donoghue, who preceded him in death on October 10, 1995. He was also preceded in death by 2 grandchildren, Sarah Marie DeKoning and Kevin James Youngs. He is survived by his children, Brenda DeKoning, Diana Tom Hoy, Ken Debra Youngs, John Priscilla Youngs, 11 grandchildren, Nick, Joe, Tim and Steve DeKoning, Ben, Brett, and Michael Hoy, Ken Youngs and Kelly Youngs Northup, Courtney and Brian Youngs; 12 great-grandchildren; a brother, Norman Mary Ellen Youngs; sister-in-law, Fran Gustafson; and several nieces and nephews. With grateful hearts the family wishes to extend its deepest thanks and appreciation to the caring staff at the Friendship Village Health Center. A gathering for family and friends will be held Wednesday from 12-2pm at the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Westside Chapel, 3926 S. 9th Street where a service to celebrate Ken�s life will be held at 2:00 o�clock. Private family graveside services will be in Riverside Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Kalamazoo Gospel Mission, 448 N. Burdick, Kalamazoo, MI 49007; Loaves and Fishes, 913 E. Alcott St., Kalamazoo, MI 49001; or the March of Dimes, 3330 Broadmoor SE, Suite B, Grand Rapids, MI 49512.