Roland C. “Ron” Young, 85
Roland C. “Ron” Young, age 85, of Stevens Point, died March 28, 2014 at the Portage County Health Care Center.
Ron was born March 31, 1928 to the late William A. and Rebecca C. (Thompson) Young in Wisconsin Rapids. He grew up in Pittsville, WI and graduated from Whitewater High School.
He was inducted into the US Army on June 22, 1946. During his time of service, Ron became a member of the 11th Airborne Division and received a Japan Occupation Medal. He was honorably discharged on June 27, 1949.
Following his military service, Ron became employed at a foundry in Fort Atkinson, WI for a short time. He later moved to Stevens Point to attend Wisconsin State College at Stevens Point (now UWSP) and graduated in 1955 with a Bachelor’s degree in Geography.
He married his college sweetheart, Joanne A. Chapman on October 6, 1956 at the First Congregational Church in Birnamwood, WI.
Ron became a Trooper with the Wisconsin State Patrol in 1956. He was a patrolman until joining the Chemical Test Unit in 1967. He retired as the unit supervisor in 1990.
Ron will be remembered for his sense of humor and love of the outdoors. He was an avid sportsman at heart, enjoying all facets of hunting, fishing, and trapshooting. By the way he lived his life, Ron taught his family to express and live out their faith through service to others. Throughout his membership at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, he served on many boards, chaperoned youth retreats, found inspiration in the men’s prayer group and joyfully sang in the church choir for 50 years. Ron was also renowned for his creative storytelling and joking nature. He loved country music and was known to dance to his favorite songs. In his spare time, he studied military history, watched westerns and the Green Bay Packers, attended many Wisconsin sporting events, enjoyed Sunday drives, extended travel, and taking care of his yard. Ron especially took pleasure in spending time with his family at their cottage in Three Lakes.
Survivors include daughters, Paula (Christopher) Sheridan of Colorado Springs, CO, Laurel Young-Koconis (George Koconis) of Wisconsin Rapids, Carol (Thomas) Kerske of Stevens Point, Janet Anderson of Sheboygan, WI, Judy Young of Stevens Point; grandchildren, Kyle and Kerry Sheridan, Lisa (Matt) Waters, Joseph, Peter & Mary Koconis, Allison Kerske, Silvey and Sadie Anderson; and one great-grandson, Jasper Kerske. He is further survived by a sister, Maxine Entler of Chandler, AZ and numerous nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his loving wife, Joanne; 7 brothers; 3 sisters; and son in law, Brian Anderson.
A Service will be held at 3p.m., Sunday, April 13, 2014, at St Paul’s United Methodist Church with Rev. Howard Hintzman officiating. Visitation will also be held Sunday from 1 p.m. until the time of service at the church.
Memorials may be made to St. Paul’s United Methodist Church Roof Fund or the Izaak Walton League, Bill Cook Chapter. Online condolences may be made at www.bostonfuneralhome.net.
The family would like to thank Heartland Hospice, Home Instead and Portage County Heath Care Center care workers for their devoted care of Ron.
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