Joe Edwards Younger

Joe Edwards Younger was born on August 31, 1929 and raised by loving parents, Arthusa and Basil Younger, on a 200-acre farm in Centralia, Missouri. They were faithful members of New Hope Baptist Church, where Joe's mother served as pianist for decades.

Joe enlisted in the US Airforce and retired as a Chief Master Sergeant, the highest non-commissioned officer rank, having served in the Azores, Okinawa, Korea and other posts, the last being Scott AFB. Joe was a member of the search and rescue team for Gary Powers, who piloted a U-2 espionage plane and was shot down over the Soviet Union in 1960. Joe Younger received many awards and special commendations for his skill, talent and service in maintaining, troubleshooting and repairing aircraft engines, both piston and jet.

In retirement, Joe enjoyed tinkering with machines and he had a barn full of tractors which he meticulously maintained, some of them used for mowing grass around his large homestead in Belleville, Illinois. For decades, he attended the EAA Air Show in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. One of his fondest memories was attending the show with his son, Kevin, whom he adopted from Korea. Joe kept up with advances in aircraft and automotive engine technologies and had aircraft magazines by his bedside even in his final days.

Joe's beloved wife, Carol, passed away in May. Broken-hearted and in declining health, he followed three months later, on August 26, 2025, just five days short of his 96th birthday. They are together now in eternal peace. Joe is survived by his son, Kevin, and daughter, Tracie.