EMPORIA — Jerome Joseph Younger, 77, died Sept. 4 at Newman Regional Health in Emporia. Born on Sept. 30, 1933, in Hoisington, he was the son of Martin and Anna (Lauber) Younger. On Sept. 15, 1962, he married Barbara Redman at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Emporia. She survives at the home. He attended high school at Hoisington High. In 1960, he graduated from the Kansas State Teachers College in Emporia, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Business. He spent nearly 40 years as a full time accountant with Agler and Gaeddert, Bluestem Farm & Ranch Supply and EVCO Wholesale Foods. He worked on a part time basis, before retiring in 2010 from the Didde Catholic Campus Center.

Mr. Young served in the United States Navy on a minesweeper during the Korean War, having enlisted at age 17. He was a life member of the American Legion - Post 5 in Emporia and the Veterans of Foreign Wars - Post 7428 in Hoisington. He was active in numerous civic and charitable organizations including a secretary of the Lyon County Fair Board, treasurer of the Lyon County Crimestoppers and treasurer of Camp Alexander. He was also active in the Knights of Columbus - Council 727 in Emporia and the Hi-Noon Kiwanis Club, including a year as Lt. governor for the Kansas Kiwanis District.

Survivors include his wife, of the home; two sons, Steven Younger of Emporia and Douglas Younger of Pittsburg; two sisters Mary Ann Funk of Galatia, and Betty Shaver of Royce City, Texas. He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers Leonard, Paul and Albert; and a sister Martina Luebbers.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m., on Friday, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, conducted by Father Rich Warsnak of the church and Father Ray May of the Didde Catholic Campus Center in Emporia. The family will greet from 6 p.m. on Thursday, followed by the Rosary at 7 p.m., at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Interment will be at the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery with military detail honors by Ball-McColm Post #5, American Legion, and Lowry-Funston Post #1980 Veterans of Foreign Wars. Memorials have been established with the Sacred Heart Catholic Church Building Fund and the Emporia Public Library. Contributions may be sent in care of the funeral home.

Funeral arrangements provided by

Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home

605 State Street

Emporia, KS 66801

Great Bend (Kan) Tribune, Sept. 7, 2011