Dorothy Mae Young

Dorothy Mae Young, age 93, died on Friday, Sept. 2, 2016, in the home of her daughter, Barbara Groner, Dowagiac, Michigan, with whom she resided the final year of her life. She was born at home in Decatur, Illinois, on June 15, 1923, to Ralph H and Reta C. (Barnhart) Landes. At age 5 she moved with her parents and brother Jackson “Jack” to Oak Park, Illinois, when her father left a career as a science teacher to accept a new opportunity with Western Electric Co., a job that offered economic stability and advancement opportunities. She recalled that she was a slow reader and hated reading until in the summer before 10th grade, when she read “The Count of Monte Christo.”  After that, reading became a favorite pastime.  A frequent visitor to the Cass District Library, over the years she kept extensive lists of the books she read. On July 12, 1941, shortly after graduating from Oak Park River Forest Township High School, Dorothy married Walter Milton Young, Jr., a young man she met at church.  This began a shared life that remained strong throughout their 65 1/2 years together. After moving to Osceola, Indiana, they opted for rural life at Little Fish Lake, near Cassopolis, Michigan, where they made their home and raised five children. Known for her kindness and positive attitude, Dorothy was a dedicated mother and homemaker—a job that gave her joy and fulfillment. She took an active role in the community and an interest in local politics. She worked for a number of years in the Marcellus Community Schools superintendent’s office, until being elected to the board of education. She served as president of the PTA and was a Girl Scout troop leader, as well as being an active member of L’Allegro Club in Marcellus and the Wakelee United Methodist Church. After Walter retired, they spent winters in Florida, where they were involved in Ft. Myers United Methodist Church, singing in the choir and coordinating the “Lunch Bunch,” an enrichment group that met weekly. She had beautiful penmanship and a talent for staying in touch with friends and family through her letters. She loved scrapbooking, jigsaw puzzles, playing board and card games, and always had time to listen to family members. She took an active role in the lives and interests of her family. She loved to travel and was proud to have visited each of the 50 states, as well as several foreign countries. Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband in 2007, her brother and two grandsons—James McKenzie and Darrell Cox. She is survived by her children Phyllis McKenzie (husband James is deceased) of Paw Paw , Barbara Groner of Dowagiac, Nancy (Charles) Goodrich of Decatur, Walter M. (Jan) Young, III of Grand Haven and Shirley (Gary) Young-Bixler of Niles; grandchildren Wendy McKenzie, Richard (Rebecca) Cox, Larena Cox (wife of Darrell), Kristen (Justin) Chandler, Karen Querfurth, Marla (Jason) Bernal and Walter M. Young, IV; great-grandchildren Zackery McKenzie, Gabriel McKenzie, Mallory McKenzie, Robert McKenzie, Emily Cox, Matthew Cox, Lila (Cole) Slaski, Christopher Cox, Kylee Chandler, Emma Chandler, Makenna Stezowski, Brandon Stezowski, Jayden Querfurth and Olivia Bernal; and great-great-grandson Cashis McKenzie. The family will greet friends at Wakelee United Methodist Church, 15921 Dutch Settlement St., Marcellus, MI 49067, on Saturday, Sept. 10, from 1-3 p.m. followed by a memorial service at the church and interment of ashes at Little Fish Lake Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to Wakelee Church.