William Elmo Young

William Elmo Young, 89, went home with his Lord at 4:55 p. m. on February 25, 2011 at the Waters of Covington after a two-month illness.
He was born in Salem, Illinois on March 2, 1921 to Alva Dell Young and Cora Crystal English. His mother died when he was five years old. Two years later his father married Auneta Yerkes and they settled on the Yerkes family farm south of Covington. A child of the depression, Elmo worked on the farm from a very young age, driving a team of horses behind a walking plow. He attended the one-room Whites School thru 8th grade, and graduated from Perrysville High School in 1939.
Elmo had a fascination for airplanes. Two days after graduation he enlisted in the U. S. Army Air Corps stationed at Chanute Field in Rantoul, Illinois. He maintained his private pilots license for several years after his days in the service.
Following the military he continued his government service, being employed at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Danville, IL for 35 years. He retired in 1976 as Chief of Ambulatory Care and Supervisor of Veterans Claims.
Elmo was an avid golfer and a lifelong supporter of the St. Louis Cardinals, Indiana University and especially the Covington Trojans. He was honored on his 89th birthday by the CHS Boys Basketball Team for having attended 66 consecutive Sectional Tournaments.
He was a founder of the Covington Little League organization and served as a coach, umpire and board member for many years. He served on the Covington Volunteer Fire Department from 1966 to 1980, the Covington City Park Board, and was still an active member of the Covington Tree Committee.
On June 8, 1942 Elmo was united in marriage to Mary Kathryn Rhodes. They celebrated 68 loving years of marriage. She survives with their three daughters, Christine Ann Holmes, Savoy, IL, Crystal Sue Mitchell, and Jill Kay (Kevin) Abernathy, both of Covington; five grandchildren, Roger (Tina) Holmes, Covington, Michael (Dawn Robbins) Holmes, Veedersburg, Zachary (Jen) Taylor, Indianapolis, Kathryn (Craig) Miller, Hartsburg, IL and Aaron Abernathy, Covington; 7 great-grandchildren, Rhett, Tristen and Ryder Holmes, Ali and Eli Holmes and Madison and Parker Taylor.
Also surviving are a brother, Bill (Ruth) Young, Fairmount, IL; three sisters, Virginia Allen, Ft. Wayne, Treca Dunham, Covington and Joan Frank, Fithian, IL; many nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of good friends and neighbors.
He was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Judith Lee; his parents; two brothers, Alva D. Young, Jr. and Gene Young; and a sister, Mary Lawless.
He was a member of the Covington United Methodist Church, 49-year member of Fountain Lodge #60, 50-year member of Tidal Lodge 36 Knights of Pythias, and Perrysville and Covington American Legion.
A celebration of life will be held at 11:00 a.m. EDT Wednesday, March 2, 2011 which would have been his 90th birthday, at Covington United Methodist Church with Pastor Tom Hoehner officiating. Military honors given by the Perrysville and Covington American Legion following the service. There will be no graveside service as his ashes will be interred at a later date. Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. EDT Tuesday, March 1 at Shelby Funeral Home, Covington, with Masonic rites at 7:45 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Covington United Methodist Church or the Covington Community Foundation with envelopes provided at the funeral home. Condolences may be sent to the family at: www.shelbyfuneralhome.com