YOUNKER, Orpheus Arthur: Died 1961

YOUNKER, PARROT, FELL, MORROW, PALENCIA, SIDWELL

Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 4/16/2017 at 09:08:36

**Handwritten: Rec. Rep. 8 JUNE 1961

Orpheus A. Younker

Orpheus Arthur Younker, the oldest of nine children, was born Aug. 4, 1873, at Geneseo, Ill. to P.L. and Alice Younker. He entered his eternal rest June 3, 1961 at the Van Buren County Memorial Hospital at Keosauqua after suffering a heart attack at the age of 87 years, 9 months and 29 days.

His early manhood was spent in Wright County where he taught several terms of school. There he met Cordelia Ann Parrot with whom he was united in marriage June 26, 1895. To this union were born nine children: Cress, Olive, Emil, James, Charles, Cleo, Holmes, Maxine and Sam.

They moved from Wright County to Warren County where they lived for several years. While there they became members of the Friends Church. Upon moving to Van Buren County in 1918, he became a member of the Grace Methodist Church at Milton. He was also a member of the Knights of Pythian Lodge but in recent years was inactive. In 1959 the Younkers celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary at their home in Milton.

In his modest and quiet way, he was a man of many interests and abilities. While in the Milton community he served for a number of years as secretary of the Shippers Association, as Federal Census Enumerator, Township Assessor, and two terms as Mayor of Milton.

He was preceded in death by his parents: his wife, Cordelia, Sept. 5, 1959; three sisters, Jessie Morrow, Hattie Fell and Virginia Younker; and one brother, Clint Younker.

Surviving are his nine children: Cress Younker of Millston, Wis.; Olive Palencia, Manilla, Philipine Islands; Emil Younker, Memphis, Tenn.; James Younker, Mil, Ia.; Charles and Cleo Younker, Milton, Ia.; Holmes Younker, Pleasantville, Ia.; Maxine Sidwell, Davenport, Ia.; and Don Younker, Milton, Ia.; 25 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren and a host of friends.

He was always a devoted family man who enjoyed his children and grandchildren and home associations. His workshop and home showed the efforts of an able and patient laborer.

Funeral services were held at the Grace Methodist Church in Milton on Tuesday, June 6, 1961 at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Harold Harryman officiating. Interment was in Sunnyside Cemetery.

Source: Van Buren Co. Genealogical Society Obituary Book H, Page 128, Keosauqua Public Library, Keosauqua, IA