Harry Benjamin "Bennie" Young Sr., age 81, of Mendon, passed away Wednesday, April 20, 2016, at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Columbus. 

He was born on January 4, 1935 in Celina, to the late Harry Benjamin & Ida Ruth (Dietch) Young. Bennie and Doris Henderson were married on August 24, 1953, and they were together for nearly 63 years. 

Bennie was a loving Husband, Father, Grandfather and Great Grandfather.

His wife Doris survives, along with their Children: Deb (Tom) Wycuff of Celina, Mike (Tanya) Young, Dave (Lori) Young, Bill Young and Penny (Greg) Zizelman, all of Mendon, Jim Young of Marshall, MI, and Sue (Greg) Hinegardner and Ginger (Jeff) Bollenbacher, both of Rockford. Bennie liked to tell the story of delivering his daughter Sue at home. Also surviving are 22 Grandchildren, 38 Great Grandchildren, 9 Brothers & Sisters: Bonnie (Ralph) Bensman of St. Marys, Jean (Ernie) England of Mendon, Larry (Connie) Young of Sioux City, IA, Kathy Gibson of Wapakoneta, Sharon (Dan) King and Tim (Linda) Young, both of Venedocia, John (Bonnie) Young of Rockford, Roberta (Mike) Sutter of Coldwater and Alberta (Paul) Siegrist of St. Henry, and a Sister-in-law: Sharon Young of St. Marys.

A Son, Harry Benjamin "Benny" Young Jr., passed away in 2012, and he was also preceded in death by a Granddaughter: Stacy Wy-cuff, and 3 Brothers: Steve (Martha) Young, Ralph Young and Daniel (Carolyn) Young. 

Bennie attended Celina Schools, but left school at the age of 16 to take a job at Mersman Brothers, to help care for his family. He had also worked at Yaney's Sawmill in Celina, and owned a feed mill, grinding and delivering feed to area farms. 

For over 50 years in the local area, Bennie was self-employed in construction, working along with his Sons and Grandsons. He was widely known for his business - Bennie Young Construction. 

Bennie was also a farmer and raised livestock, and had been a gravedigger for Jennings and Wright Cemeteries in Van Wert County, and the Village of Mendon Cemetery.

Active in the Mendon community, Bennie had been a member of the Mendon Lions Club, a Cub Scout Master, and coached baseball. He attended the Mendon First Church of God. For several years, he cooked beans for the Old Fashioned Farmers Days in Van Wert.

He took many trips with his family, traveling to a number of states. Bennie enjoyed camping, hunting and fishing. He was active with the United Wagon Train, and had served as President of the group. The Wagon Train traveled as a group in horse-drawn covered wagons, covering 15 miles a day, living as the pioneers once did.

Bennie was a hardworking man. He loved all animals, especially his horses and dogs. He was bullheaded, stubborn but loving, and would do anything for anyone.  

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 A.M., Monday, April 25, at Mendon First Church of God, with Pastor Jake Boroff officiating. Burial will follow at Mendon Cemetery. 

Calling Hours are 1:00-6:00 P.M., Sunday, April 24 and 10:00-11:00 A.M. on Monday, at the Mendon First Church of God.

Memorial Contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Arrangements are being handled by W.H. Dick & Sons-Hellwarth Funeral Home, Mendon.

Condolences may be expressed at dickandsonshellwarthfh.com.