Mary Lou Young

Mary Lou Young, of Albion, Indiana, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023.

She was born in Mishawaka, Indiana, on Dec. 9, 1926, and placed in the Mishawaka Children’s Orphanage, where she was adopted by Paul A. and Effie E. (Wright) Thomas at the age of 6 weeks.

As a young child, Mary Lou and her parents lived in a few different places, including Lake Wawasee and Marshall, Missouri. The family moved to Albion at the start of her second grade. She graduated from Albion-Jefferson High School in 1945, and went on to International Business College in Fort Wayne.

After graduation, she worked for the Farmers’ Home Administration in Albion and Decatur, Indiana.

In the summer of 1948, she met the love of her life, Charles O. Young, of Kimmell, Indiana. They were married on Feb. 20, 1949, and began their life together in Decatur. Mary Lou worked while Charles attended Indiana Tech in Fort Wayne. After his graduation, they moved to Ligonier and then to Wolf Lake, where they resided until September 2006.

Mary Lou loved being a homemaker and a mother to four children, daughters, Linda (Stan) Schenher, of Fishers, Indiana, Nancy Hensch and Deb (John) Sieber, both of Albion; and son, Douglas C. Young, of Kimmell. She enjoyed preparing wonderful Sunday dinners for her family, which, in later years, included grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She was active in her church, Wolf Lake Baptist Church, and in later years, Berean Baptist Church in Albion.

She was a member of a sorority, Noble Township Homemakers Club, the Kimmell Mothers’ Club, and served as the secretary/treasurer of the Wolf Lake Cemetery Association for many years. She also loved being a room mother for her children at Wolf Lake Elementary.  In their younger years, she and Chuck enjoyed traveling with their children, visiting historic sites and landmarks. In later years, she was content with a leisurely Sunday drive.

She was known for making a “Jello Salad” for sick neighbors, funeral dinners, church potlucks or family meals. She loved her eight grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren, and was involved in their lives and activities as long as she was able. Her family was truly blessed by her love and devotion.

Funeral services for Mary Lou will be held at 11 a.m., on Friday, Oct. 13, 2023, at Berean Baptist Church, 110 Highland Park Drive, Albion.

Pastor Doug Keenan will officiate.

Visitation will be one hour prior to the funeral.

Burial will be at Christian Chapel Cemetery, Merriam.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Mary Lou’s name to The Alzheimer’s Association or Gideons International.

Arrangements in care of Harper Funeral Homes, Albion Chapel, 771 Trail Ridge Road, Albion.

To sign the online guestbook or leave a condolence, visit www.harperfuneralhomes.com.

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