Francis Youngker, 99

Francis D. Youngker, 99 years, of Bryan, passed away Saturday, September 19, 2015, at Genesis Healthcare-Bryan Center, Bryan, where he had been a resident the past six weeks.  Francis was born December 24, 1915, in Hamler, Ohio, the son of the late George and Ruth (Sager) Youngker.  Francis married Ella Little on April 12, 1936, and she preceded him in death in December of 1966.  After the death of his wife Ella, Francis met another friend, Ila Hitzman, who was a companion until her death in 2003.  He was a former farmer, a machinist for Defiance Screw Machine Products, a truck driver for Kirtley Distributing and a security guard at LaChoy Foods.  He volunteered at the former Harborside Health Care for many years where each week he would take patients to the Sunday church service. Francis enjoyed playing his guitar and harmonica. He was known to have a great sense of humor.

Surviving are his four children, Donald (Doloris) Youngker of Sherwood, Ohio,  Marion (Donna) Youngker of Bryan, Ohio,  Marie Culler of Defiance, Ohio and Dean (Jim) Knoll of Angola, Indiana; 10 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and 14 great-great-grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his wife, Ella, companion Ila Hitzman, one granddaughter, Holly Fisher, Son-in-law, Gerald Culler, three brothers, Marion, Woodrow, and Harold Youngker, and one sister, Elizabeth Wehrley.

Visitation for Francis D. Youngker will be held from 4:00 – 8:00 pm Tuesday, September 22, 2015, in the Oberlin-Turnbull Funeral Home, 206 North Lynn Street, Bryan. Funeral services for Francis will be held at 11:00 am Wednesday, September 23, 2015, in the funeral home with Pastor George Alley officiating.  Interment will follow in Riverview Memory Gardens, Defiance. Visitation will be held an hour prior to the funeral service.

Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider memorial contributions be made to Community Health Professionals Hospice, 127 Blakeslee Avenue, Bryan, Ohio 43506.