John F. Young, 1916-2012

YOUNG John Forrest Young, a writer who shaped Ohio's political conversation from the 1930s-1980s, died November 1, 2012, surrounded by his family. He was 96. He was born on June 20, 1916, to Robert Carl and Fannie Fern Forrest Young in Bucyrus, Ohio, and was a long-time resident of Worthington. He lived for the past 11 years at Friendship Village of Columbus. He is survived by his "darling Isobel (Agnes Snyder)," wife of nearly 78 years; daughter, Sandra Joan Be' (Edwin), Chicago; and son, John David (Shelly), Thousand Oaks, Calif.; grandchildren, Sarah Bender (Jeff), Leah Fried (Jose'), Adam Fried, all of Chicago, Scott Bender (Rebecca), Brunswick, Ga., Laura Young, and Megan Van Aelst (Craig) of Westerville; 13 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his sister Janet Joanne Bordonaro. He left The Dispatch in 1965 as senior editorial writer and retired in 1981 after 16 years as Director of Communications of The West Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church. He served on the boards of The Worthington Cardinal Boosters, The Worthington Library, and the Ohio Historical Society. He read poetry aloud, sang, and gave a talk on the life of James Thurber more than 400 times. An avid gardener, photographer, church leader, and historian, he admonished all to "be kind to one another." He was a champion of his family. Visitation will be from 3-5 p.m. at RUTHERFORD-CORBIN FUNERAL HOME, 515 High Street, Worthington, OH 43085, Wednesday, November 7, 2012, followed by a funeral service at 7 p.m., at The Worthington United Methodist Church, 600 High Street. Worthington, OH Burial service will be at Walnut Grove Cemetery, 5561 Milton Avenue, Worthington, at noon Thursday. Words of remembrance may be shared at www.rutherfordfuneralhomes.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in honor of Isobel Young to the Alzheimer's Association of Central Ohio, 1379 Dublin Road, Columbus, Ohio 43215.