James E. Young

MERRILL, Iowa -- James Edward Young, 78, of Merrill passed away Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2009, at a Siouxland hospital, following a brief illness.

A celebration of James' life will be held 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, December 29, 2009 at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Sioux City, with the Rev. Michael Erpelding officiating. Visitation with the family present will be 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, with a vigil service at 7 p.m., at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel in Sioux City.

James was born Oct. 31, 1931, in Spickard, Mo., to Oren and Virginia (Edwards) Young. In 1938, Jim moved to the Siouxland area, where he attended Sioux City Schools and graduated from East High School in 1949. After receiving his high school diploma, Jim enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in January 1951.

Shortly after enlisting, Jim married the love of his life, Margie Hupke on June 9, 1951, in San Clemente, Calif. The young couple began their life as Jim served at Camp Pendleton for three years until 1954. After being honorably discharged, Jim and Margie Young returned to the Siouxland area to build a strong, 58-year marriage.

In Siouxland, he began working at Interstate Air Conditioning. There he developed his desire for business entrepreneurship. Shortly after, he broke away from Interstate Air to join a business colleague at Kern Sign Advertising. While working at Kern, Jim took night classes at Morningside College where he received his business degree. Later, Jim proved his business acumen, where he purchased and successfully ran Kern Sign Advertising. He was known as a fair boss who gave praise and correction where needed.

Besides his passion for his wife, Jim cared deeply about many things. They included God, family, gospel, bluegrass and country music, hunting, fishing, tennis and golf (until his sons started beating him), politics and big family gatherings. Up until his death, Jim remained adamant about his stance on politics and defending Iowa football at all costs.

James is survived by his wife, Margie of Merrill; five children, Anita Finn and her husband, Jim of Ozark, Mo., Dan Young and his wife, Mary of Hinton, Iowa, Karen Banks and her husband, Iven of Westfield, Iowa, Jack Young and his wife, Nancy of Sioux City, and Curt Young of Albert Lea, Minn.; a sister, Winna Jean Dolphin of Sioux City; a brother, John Young and his wife, Mary of Sioux City; 12 grandchildren, Alicia Krohn and her husband, Bill, Carter Rohmiller and his wife, Traci, Ryan Finn, Mary Johnston and her husband, Jeremiah, Ann Finn, Todd Young and his wife, Jewell, David Young, Desiree Shultz and her husband, Wade, Alexa Wolff and her husband, Matt, Ian Banks, Ashley Young and Matthew Young; and 14 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Oren Jr. and Robert Young; and a sister, Irene Simmons.

Honorary pallbearers will be Carter Rohmiller, Todd Young, Ian Banks, David Young, Matthew Young, Jim Young, Iven Banks and M.W. Hulst.