Mary Jean Younkin

Mary Jean Younkin was born in Iola, Kansas on March 2, 1930 and passed away from pancreatic cancer on May 3, 2013 in Akron, Ohio.
Mary was preceded in death by parents, Hervey and Helen McClelland and daughter Sue Ellen Younkin. She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Ralph "Bud" Younkin; daughters, Melinda Younkin, Laurie (Dick) Hillebrand; son, Michael (Elizabeth) Younkin; and grandchildren Adam (Katie), Meghan (AJ), Kelsey (Paul), Ian, and Shawn; her sister, Phyllis Sharpe of New Jersey and her brother William (Blanche) McClelland of Ohio.
Mary grew up in Humboldt, Kansas and Kansas City, Missouri, graduating valedictorian from Northeast High School in 1948. After two years of Cottey College in Nevada, Missouri as a vocal performance major, she attended University of Kansas where she and Bud became engaged. After marriage, Mary and Bud moved to Detroit where they raised three children. She was active in the Presbyterian Church serving on Detroit's Presbytery Council and as President of Presbyterian Women. Mary was a soloist at Grandale Presbyterian Church and sang with other musical groups in the greater Detroit area. Mary was an avid bridge player and played in competitive bridge clubs.
Mary and Bud moved to Akron, Ohio in 1989. While in Akron, Mary was employed as the Assistant Activities Director at Rockynol Retirement Community and was active in the choir of First Presbyterian Church of Akron. Upon retirement in 1995, Mary and Bud resided part of the year in Naples, Florida where they were active in Naples First Presbyterian Church.
Information regarding Mary's Celebration of Life service will follow at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to be made to the music ministries of Akron First Presbyterian Church or Naples First Presbyterian Church, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, or Doctors Without Borders. (Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel)