Eula Young

Eula Merry Lewis Young, 87, of Metropolis, Ill., joined her heavenly Father Monday, July 21, 2008.

She was born Dec. 25, 1919, in Cape Girardeau, daughter of Almon Roy and Clara Louise Haywood Lewis. She was the youngest of six siblings. She and Elmer Henry Young were married in May 1942.

They moved to Fort Riley, Kan., and following his military service they returned to Cape Girardeau and began raising their family of three daughters.

In addition to Cape Girardeau and Metropolis, the Youngs also lived in Paducah, Ky. While in Metropolis she worked alongside her husband at the local IGA store. In 1963 the family opened Young's 66 Inn, and when it closed in 1976 she went to work for American Electric Power as a cook on its river fleet until 1982. She was an active member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Paducah.

Eula is survived by three daughters, Carol Louise of Metropolis, Beverly (John) Speckman of Harker Heights, Texas, Mary Jill (Donald) Schwartz of Racine, Wis.; a granddaughter, Erica (Andrew) Green of Harker Heights; and two great-grandchildren, Clara Noelle and John-August Karl.

She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother and friend to many. She will be greatly missed.

Eula was preceded in death by her parents; husband; four brothers, Thayer, Earl, George and Russel; and a sister, Ella.

The family will receive friends from 9 a.m. to service time Thursday at Aikins-Farmer Funeral Home in Metropolis.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Interment will be in Cape County Memorial Park in Cape Girardeau.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be sent to St. Paul Lutheran Church in Paducah, St. Paul Lutheran Church in Metropolis or to your local hospice.