Wayne Francis Young

Wayne graduated from AR-WE-VA High School in Westside, Iowa, in 1965. Following high school, he proudly served in the United States Air Force, beginning a life marked by service, hard work, and dedication to his family.

In 1969, Wayne married his childhood pen pal, Shirley Meyer. Together, Wayne and Shirley built a life filled with family, hard work, faith, and love.

Wayne was an active member of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod throughout his life. His faith was an important part of who he was, and he valued the fellowship, service, and relationships he found through the church. He and Shirley remained committed to their faith and to raising their family with strong Christian values.

After completing his military service, Wayne earned his teaching degree from Wayne State College in Wayne, Nebraska, receiving degrees in Mathematics and Industrial Arts. He began his teaching career in Fremont, Nebraska, where he taught seventh-grade mathematics. The family later moved to Mapleton, Iowa, where Wayne taught seventh-grade mathematics at Maple Valley Community Schools.

Following his teaching career, Wayne worked for Iowa Public Service Company in Sioux City and later for ENEREX in Des Moines. During these years, he also farmed outside of Mapleton, Iowa, maintaining his lifelong connection to hard work and the land.

In 1993, Wayne and Shirley moved their family to Fort Wayne, Indiana. Wayne worked at Lowe's and later at Arden Corporation until his retirement.

Wayne always enjoyed keeping busy. He loved tinkering and recycling, finding ways to repair, repurpose, and give new life to things. His curiosity and willingness to work with his hands kept both his body and mind active. He was a practical and hardworking man who took pride in figuring things out and getting the job done.

Wayne and Shirley were blessed with two children, Aaron, born in 1974, and Aarica, born in 1981, and four grandchildren.

His son, Aaron Young, of South Bend, Indiana, has two children, Hailey Young of Northwood, Iowa, and Brayton Young of Three Rivers, Michigan.

His daughter, Aarica, and her husband, Brian Dekker, have two children, Logan and Caleb, all residing in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, Francis and Alice (Vetter) Young; his brother, Gary; and his sisters, Mary, Beth, and Colleen.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Shirley; his children, Aaron Young and Aarica Dekker and her husband, Brian; his four grandchildren, Hailey, Brayton, Logan, and Caleb; his brother, Bruce, and his wife, Debbie, of Hopewell, Virginia; and his brother, Dale, of Mapleton, Iowa, along with extended family and friends who will cherish his memory.

Wayne will be remembered for his dedication to his family, his faith, his service to his country, his years as an educator, his strong work ethic, and his lifelong love of tinkering and staying busy. Most of all, he will be remembered as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend.

Though he has left us, the lessons he taught, the work of his hands, the faith he lived, and the love he gave his family will remain with those who knew and loved him.