Jean Young

Hester Jean Young, 94, passed away peacefully on October 9, 2020 while listening to the Lord’s Prayer and 23rd Psalm.   She entered heaven from her farm home of 70 years, where she raised gardens, chickens, ducks, cows, and cared for a goat, horse, pony, hinny and beloved dogs and cats.

Jean was born August 25, 1926 in Webbville, Kentucky.  She is a graduate of Faith Bible Institute and attended Sinclair College.  During her lifetime, she had many callings, but always loved her God.  Her accomplishments include growing vegetable gardens, selling real estate, caring for tenants in her apartment house (even buying groceries for some), serving for 10 years as a Community Health Advocate, honored by a regional award for serving Appalachian families, and a national award from Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies, volunteering over 5,000 hours through Lutheran Social Services as a senior companion in her 70’s and early 80’s, and painting into her 90’s. 

Mrs. Young is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Woodrow, her parents, Thomas Newton Howard and Rosa Belle Thompson Howard and 12 of her siblings.  Jean is survived by her sister and brother, Ruth Maxine Betts of Webbville, KY and Keith (Holly) Howard of Pickerington, OH; her three children, three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; Sheryl Darlene Young of Huber Heights, Larry Woodrow (Mindy) Young of Amherst, OH and their family, Jennifer (Robert) Goodall and Anabella of Amherst, OH; Kevin (Ashley) Young and Edison and Julian of Amherst, OH; and Arlene Mae Young of Huber Heights and her family, Michael (Kara) Olson of Kirkland, WA. 

Mrs. Young made incredible memories with her special caregiver of 8 ½ year, Rhonda Simpson and her grandson, Bentlee who were like family in her later years.  When she was with Rhonda, she often laughed and spelled out her self-selected “middle” name – TROUBLE.  Jean also had many other dedicated caregivers, one a distant cousin, cousins, nieces, nephews, a devoted neighbor, and close friends who will miss her dearly. 

Jean and her sister Maxine sang “I’ll Fly Away” in duet as children and adults.  This is how we will remember her – flying to the arms of her waiting family already in heaven.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm, Tuesday, October 13 at the Vandalia United Methodist Church, 200 S. Dixie Drive, Vandalia with Rev. Michael Malcosky officiating.  Interment will follow at Dayton Memorial Park Cemetery.   The family will receive friends at the church on Tuesday from 11:00 am until time of service.

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