John William Young, age 79, of Elgin, IL, passed away on July 1, 2023. Born on May 13, 1944 in Johnstown, PA, he was the son of the late Elmer and Jessie (née Brindle) Young.

John was married to Darla Young, father of Scott (Candy) Young, stepfather to Jason Yhost, big brother to Lucinda (Jim) Fugitt, baby brother to the late Jackie Wenglik (Young), and grandfather of Casey and Jesse Young. He'll also be remembered by so many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and neighbors.

John's hometown was a working class steel town a little over 50 miles east of Pittsburgh. His childhood gave us stories of trips to school in both snow and pouring rain, down and up mountains; of strolls escorting his little sister to get sweets in town; of letters to his aunt, exuding pride for his nieces; of hopes to be home with family, whether from his days as an 18-year-old writing home while in the Air Force, or as a father driving in from Chicago for a reunion or his favorite holiday, Christmas.

John proudly and honorably served in the United States Air Force from 1962-1967, and loved attending reunions with his old buddies, laughing and sharing their adventures together.

John's hobbies included fishing, reading, fixing things around the house, building dog houses, and erecting perches in the basement for his son to sit while watching mom or dad doing laundry. He loved grilling, and taking bike rides while the coals heated up. He played tennis, was a good bowler, liked horseshoes and darts, and fixing cars because he never had a nice one. He loved ice cream, and he loved having seconds because he wouldn't want to be rude. He taught us all self-defense at the John Young School of Watching Your Back.

He was rough and rugged. Silly, serious, and smart. He was a positive and cheerful soul.  Fiercely independent, strong and silent at times, but also fair, nurturing, gentle, giving, and so loving.  He could give a look that would move mountains. His eyes could tell you in a glance, you better not, or that you absolutely should, or that he loved you more than anything in this world.

He loved easy, he worked hard. He was a great man, with a remarkable strength of character, a warm and wonderful smile; and hugs that would comfort across time, of which there is never enough; and distance, from which there is often too much.

He has joined his loved ones in Heaven now, reuniting with his mom Jesse, his dad Mick, his sister Jacki, his niece Renee, his hometown friend Barry, and so many others who left this world too soon. He will be missed, remembered, cherished, and loved from now until the end of time, to the moon and back.

Visitation will be from 10:00am until the memorial service at 11:00am, Friday, July 28, 2023 at Living Hope Bible Church, 6N171 Gary Avenue, Roselle, IL 60172. Pastor Matthew Black will be officiating.

To access the memorial service remotely, loved ones are encouraged to log on safe from home.

Interment with military honors will follow at 1:30pm at Dundee Township East Cemetery, 420 Dundee Avenue, East Dundee, IL 60118.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in John's memory to either the John W. Young Memorial Fund or the The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.

Final arrangements entrusted to Symonds-Madison Funeral Home. For more information, call 847-741-1128.