Sheldon Mike Young

Sheldon Mike Young passed away on Friday evening, November 13, 2009. He was 83 years old. With the help of his two devoted assistants, Delphine Rucker and Susan Hancock, he practiced law until days before his death. Of Counsel to Walter & Haverfield, he was an expert on Employment Benefits Law and was a charter member of the American College of Employment Benefits Counsel. He wrote and revised the seven volume treatise on Pension Law and taught at several universities. He was named on one the “Best Lawyers in America” for a number of years. As much has he loved the practice of law, he loved writing fictions, as well. His intense love of Spain and his Jewish heritage is reflected in his two novels, TOLEDOTH City of Generations and The DEVIL’S BRIDGE. Although he was legally blind he recently finished writing his book on Jewish Medalist in the 1936 Olympics in Berlin. Mike and his beloved Bette celebrated their twenty-first anniversary on November 11. Both were authors and said that they married each other to save two others from the hundreds of books, reams of paper and other writing essentials that seemed to find their way into every available nook and cranny in every room of their home. Mike felt a great pride for his devoted children and grandchildren; two sons, Jeffrey (Betsy Mahoney), Martin (Liz Grabiner), and a daughter, Janet Young. They are the parents of Brendan, Celeste and Amara Young, Rachael Young and Diana and Ryan Hasler. Mike loved his stepchildren as his own; Deborah Fay, Diane (Frank) Helbig and David Roth and their children, Jacqueline, Mackenzie and Charlie Fay, Aaron and Macey Helbig and Norah Roth. He counted his cousin, Dick Golden and brother-in-law Jim Feibel as brothers and friends. Gratitude for their devotion to him in these last years is profound. Mike is survived by his sister Sandra Stern (Bruce), his nieces Susan (Mark) Ringel and Judy Waxman (Stuart Simms) and their children, and his former wife Margery Young. Many people helped make Mike’s last days as comfortable as possible. Special thanks to all of the “Angels” at Zusman Community Hospice and Marty Monroe, his caregiver, who was by his side in the darkest of hours. He was a gift to the entire family. Friends and family from far and near made those dark days almost bearable. They are too numerous to name. A memorial service will be held on Monday, November 16, 2009 at 11am at Temple Beth Shalom, 5089 Johnstown Road, New Albany. Luncheon will follow the service in the Social Hall. Calling hours will be held at Schoedinger Northeast Chapel, 1051 East Johnstown, Gahanna, Ohio on Sunday evening, November 15, 2009 from 6-8pm. In lieu of flowers please send contributions to Zusman Community Hospice, 1151 College Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43209 or Temple Beth Shalom. Please visit www.schoedinger.com to send an online condolence or share a memory.