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August 31, 2009
Mr. Edmund P. “Chip” Young, 85, a longtime resident of Wyalusing, Laceyville and Meshoppen, Pa., passed away early Monday morning, August 31, 2009, at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Plains Township.
He was born in Skinners Eddy, Pa., on September 1, 1923, the third son of nine children of the late Roscoe C. and Helen Benninger Young. Growing up in Laceyville, Pa., he divided his time with his immediate family and his grandparents, who lived in South Auburn, Pa.
Chip attended Laceyville High School, and graduated in 1942. While in school, Chip played baseball, and after school he worked on a neighboring farm.
While serving in the European Theater from 1943 until 1945, in the U.S. Army, Chip served with distinction, earning a Bronze Star for Valor. Chip was nearly killed in a battle in Poe Valley, Italy, in the winter of 1944, a battle in which he was awarded the Purple Heart for injuries that would hinder him his entire life.
After the service, he returned to Meshoppen, and married the former Janet Fassett. He was a longtime employee of Gay’s Hardware Store in Tunkhannock, leaving to operate the family farm in Terrytown, near Wyalusing, for the next several years.
In 1964, Chip bought the controlling interest in the Trail Inn in Meshoppen, operating it until he fully retired in 1990, developing lifelong friendships with people from the entire Northern Tier.
Chip was a member of the Rought Hall Post 510 American Legion in Black Walnut, where he was Commander from 1987 to 1988, and was the membership chairman for many years. Chip was also a member of the 40&8, a subsidiary group of the American Legion. While a member, he was responsible for many fundraising events.
It was not unusual to see Chip barbecuing chicken at the Meshoppen Ball Park, providing funds to be used for the community’s youth, to send them to nursing school. He also organized and was Master of Ceremonies at many Memorial Day celebrations held at the Post. He was also a member of the Endless Mountains Post 3583 V.F.W. in Mehoopany.
For many years, Chip coached the Meshoppen Little League Baseball team and was the coach of a Roosevelt Trail All-Star team that came very close to advancing to the Little League World Series at Williamsport. In 1971, Chip was recognized for his outstanding service to the community of Meshoppen.
Besides his parents, he was also preceded in death by two brothers, Duane Young and Alfred Young; and three sisters, Lena Barber, Violet Williams and Jeanette Johnson.
Surviving are his two sons and their wives, Jerry and Cathy Young, of Meshoppen, Pa.; and Terry and Georgia Young, of Dover, Del; his grandchildren, Jerry and Mary Ann Young, of Bernville, Pa.; Jason Young, of Meshoppen, Pa.; Kristen Young, of Seattle, Wash.; and Eric and Kim Young, of Clayton, Del.; and his two great-grandchildren, Brent Edmund Young and Braden Young. Chip is also survived by his ex-wife and longtime friend, Janet Fassett Young, of Tunkhannock; three sisters, Armeda God, of Wyalusing, Pa., Beatrice Johnson, of Towanda, Pa., and Iva Johnson, of Wyalusing, Pa.; and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday at 11 a.m. from the Sheldon Funeral Home, Main St., Meshoppen, Pa., with his nephew, the Rev. James God, of the Bible Baptist Church in New Bloomfield, Pa., officiating. Interment will be in the Jersey Hill Cemetery in Meshoppen, Pa. Graveside Military services will be conducted by the members of the Rought Hall Post 510 American Legion, the Endless Mountains Post 3583 V.F.W. and the Dennis Strong Post 457 American Legion. Family and friends may call at the funeral home on Wednesday, from 6 to 9 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing may make memorial contributions to the 40&8 Nursing Scholarships, c/o the Rought Hall Post 510 American Legion, RR 1, Laceyville, PA 18623.