Michael Joe Young

Heaven gained a beautiful angel, while Earth lost a wonderful soul with the passing of Michael Joe “Mike” Young early Saturday morning, April 27, 2019, at HSHS St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, Illinois, from complications of heart surgery.

Mike was born in Shelbyville, Illinois, on May 30, 1963, the first son of Gary Joe and Judith Karen (Furry) Young.  He married Debra Merrell on June 6, 1987 in the Central City Baptist Church in Central City, Illinois, and she survives his passing in Centralia, Illinois.

In addition to his loving wife of 32 years, Mike is survived by their miraculous son, Joel Michael Young of Centralia, Illinois; Mike’s loving parents, Gary and Judy Young of Shelbyville, Illinois; dear sister, Diana Litteral of Shelbyville, Illinois; little brother, Patrick Young and wife Brenda of Taylorville, Illinois; nephews, Michael (Rachel) Litteral, Brian (Katie) Litteral, Nicholas (Whitney) Young and Nick Merrell; niece, Danielle Young; seven great nieces and nephews with another one on the way; mother-in-law, Bonnie Merrell of Centralia, Illinois; brother-in-law, Danny Merrell of Georgia; sister-in-law, Christy Merrell of St. Louis, Missouri and a host of friends that he loved as family.  He was preceded in death by paternal grandparents, Joe and Imogene Young; maternal grandparents, Joel and Betty Furry and father-in-law, Wally Merrell.

Mike graduated with Shelbyville High School’s “Class of 1981” and went on to graduate college from Mid-America College of Funeral Service.  He became a licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer and touched numerous families until 1994, when medical complications took him from his devoted profession.  Mike’s true love was the funeral profession, thus he kept his license active and assisted his brother, Patrick numerous times and served the people of Centralia through Moran Queen-Boggs Funeral Home part-time for numerous years.  Though illness kept Mike from his choice of profession, he found other ways of helping others.  He was elected Centralia Township Supervisor and served his community since September 1, 2000 and was very dedicated to serving the citizens of Centralia in any way possible.  Mike instituted a very devoted section of the Earnfare Program through the Township and was able to change many lives of those less fortunate through this work program.  He loved Centralia and was committed to making a positive difference in those that were ever in his company.  Numerous hours of volunteer service went into groups changing lives; the Central City Lions Club, Centralia Youth Program, Illinois Township Officials, Centralia Recreation League Baseball and Football, Centralia Community Youth Center, Centralia Halloween Parade Committee, Centralia Parks & Cemetery Advisory Commission, Centralia Recreation Board, Centralia Veteran Affairs Committee, just to name a few.  Mike’s devotion to his Lord Jesus Christ was shown through his daily examples of putting others first.  Though he had a love for people and a willingness to help, his greatest love was his family, especially his wife and son who were devoted to Mike each step of his life.

Funeral services for this great man will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Saturday, May 4, 2019, at the Eternity Baptist Church in Centralia, Illinois, with Mike’s dear friend, Pastor Karl Barnfield officiating.  Private family interment will follow services at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Centralia, Illinois.  Friends are invited to visit with Mike’s family from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. on Thursday, May 2, 2019, at the First Church of the Nazarene in Shelbyville, Illinois, from 3:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. on Friday, May 3, 2019, at Eternity Baptist Church in Centralia, Illinois and from 9:30 A.M. until the time of services at 10:30 A.M. on Saturday, May 4, 2019, at the Eternity Baptist Church.  Please view the online obituary, send condolences or share memories with Mike’s family at www.moranfuneralhome.net or on the funeral home’s Facebook page.

Taking care of his son was Mike’s greatest pleasure and responsibility, thus Mike personally asked that in place of flowers, memorials be made in great honor to Joel’s college education fund. Checks may be written to Joel Young and will be accepted at the First Church of the Nazarene in Shelbyville, Illinois and by the Moran Queen-Boggs Funeral Home in Centralia, Illinois.  Mike’s family is being greatly assisted by his friends and fellow Funeral Directors, Hugh Moran of Moran Queen-Boggs Funeral Home of Centralia, Illinois and Mark Styninger of Styninger Funeral Homes (formerly Styninger-Krupp) of Nashville and Hoyleton, Illinois.

Mike’s family would like to thank you all for your love, concern, prayers and support during this difficult time.  Mike would remind us to make a difference in someone’s life, put others above self and as always, “Have a great day”. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Michael Joe Young, please visit our floral store.