Patty Jo Young, 79, of Freeport, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, April 10, 2014, at her home after a courageous battle with cancer. She was surrounded by her loving husband Noah of 55 years, and her children. Patty was born December 29, 1934, in Parkersburg, West Virginia, the daughter of Harry and Ruth Highland. Anyone who spent time with Patty would notice her hillbilly drawl in which she was always quite proud. She married Noah Young on March 14, 1959 in Barberton, Ohio. Patty was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She was a member of First Baptist Church for many years and recently attending Park Hills Evangelical Free Church. Patty and Noah were snowbirds to Florida for 22 years where she enjoyed playing her viola in the Hawthorne Orchestra. Along with bi-annual family reunions for the past 37 years and many girls and weekend trips, Patty enjoyed cooking, entertaining, shopping, and collecting dolls. Patty is survived by her husband, Noah; children, Terry (John) Brooks, Janet (John) Schubert, David Young all of Freeport and Rodney (Tashi) Young of Lena; grandchildren Jake (Elizabeth) Brooks, Jill Brooks, Nate (Libby) Schubert, Andrew (Katie) Schubert, Christa, Josh, Matthew, Rachel and Madison Young; great-grandchildren, Alexa and Emma Brooks and Jackson Schubert; siblings, Walter Highland of Tampa, Florida, Lois Thompson and Mary Jean Dawson of Louisville, Ohio, Larry Highland of Fang Gap, Virginia and many close friends. Patty is preceded in death by her parents, three brothers and one sister. Friends and family are invited to attend the visitation, funeral and luncheon. Visitation will be held from 9 to 10:30 a.m. with the funeral service to follow, Saturday April 19, 2014, at Park Hills Evangelical Free Church, Freeport, Illinois, with Pastor Larry Elliot officiating. Burial will be at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Freeport. A luncheon will follow at the church. Memorials in Patty's name may be made to Hospice and the Hawthorne Orchestra.

Published in The Journal-Standard from Apr. 13 to Apr. 15, 2014