Russell H. Young, 90, Van Wert, OH died 4:47 a.m. Sunday February 10, 2019 at Lutheran Hospital in Ft. Wayne, IN.

He was born April 26, 1928 in St. Marys, OH to Russell and Mabel Martha (Parke) Young, Sr.

He was first married to Jean Ann (Sampson) Young. He later married Jo Ann (Fark) Graves, who died July 30, 2015.

Survivors include: son Charlie (Wanda) Young of Ohio City, OH; daughter Kathleen (Leonard) Roby of Ohio City, OH; step-son David (Karen) Graves of Ottawa, OH; step-son Timothy Graves of Colorado Springs, CO; 5 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; 4 great-great-grandchildren; sister Lahoma Frederick of Columbia, SC; sister Laura Lee Bricker of Greenville, OH; brother Terry (Alice) Young of Great Bend, KS.

Preceded in death by: parents Russell and Mabel Young, Sr.; 2nd wife JoAnn Young; grandson Seth Miller; brother Ronald Young; brother James Young; brother Paul Young; sister Dolores Knapp; sister Koneta Young, sister Marcedis Miller; sister Gwendolyn Burd; step-brother Clinton Mosler.

He was a graduate of St. Marys Memorial High School (Class of 1946) and Heidelberg College.

Mr. Young proudly served his country in the United States Army. He was awarded a Purple Heart for injuries received while stationed in Italy during World War II.

He had a lengthy career in education, having worked as both a teacher and guidance counselor, in districts that included St. Marys, Wapakoneta and Van Wert. While in St. Marys, he coached the baseball team. He had also worked at Huffy Bicycle Corp. in Celina and as a security guard for Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. in St. Marys.

He was a member of First United Methodist Church in Van Wert. His favorite pastimes included golfing, traveling and aggravating others. Russell was a unique individual with a strong personality. His faith was important to him and he felt fortunate to have gone on a mission trip to Ghana in Western Africa.

Visitation 2-5 p.m. Saturday at the Cowan & Son Funeral Home 616 S. Washington Street in Van Wert. Additional visitation 1-3 p.m. Sunday at the Miller Funeral Home 1605 Celina Road (Ohio 703 West Chapel) in St. Marys, with funeral services beginning at 3:00 p.m. Military funeral honors will be presented following the services at the funeral home.

Condolences may be expressed to his family via: cowanfh@yahoo.com or www.millerfuneralhomes.net.