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Memorial for Lowell Youngen
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Born in Tuscarawas County on Mar. 27, 1939
Departed on Dec. 8, 2015 and resided in Sugarcreek, OH.
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| Visitation: |
Saturday, Dec. 12, 2015
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| Service: |
Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015
1:30 pm
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| Cemetery: |
Ragersville Cemetery
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Please click on the links above for locations, times, maps, and directions.
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Lowell Charles Youngen, 76, of Sugarcreek, OH passed away on December 8, 2015 at Community Hospice House in New Philadelphia with his family by his side after having suffered a massive hemorrhagic stroke a week earlier.
Born and raised in Ragersville, OH, son of the late Charles and Alta (Mizer) Youngen, Lowell was known throughout the Sugarcreek area for his long service to the community. He leaves behind his beloved wife of 54 years, Diana (Hecker) Youngen; son Ralph Youngen, wife Jennifer and grandchildren Andrew and Abigail of Fairfax Station, VA; daughter Heidi (Youngen) Yates and her husband Edward of Cincinnati, OH; and brother Glenn Youngen and companion Ann Mumaw of Ragersville, OH.
Lowell graduated from Sugarcreek-Shanesville High School in 1957. He was a U.S. Army veteran and served in West Germany. After military service he was the long-time Parts Manager for Brightwood Motors in New Philadelphia, OH before completing his working career with Erb's Stove Center of Berlin, OH.
Lowell dedicated much of his life to community service. He was elected to the Sugarcreek Village Council in 1972 and was instrumental in defining Sugarcreek's first zoning ordinance in 1975. He was named to the Board of Directors of the Ohio Swiss Festival in 1972 where he dedicated 27 years, including six years as President, two years as Vice President, and 20 years as Concession Chairman. He received the Concession Manager of the Year award in 1985 by the Greater Ohio Showmen's Association. He and wife Diana founded the Festival's Arts and Crafts show in 1975. He was a long-time member of the Sugarcreek United Church of Christ where he served two terms on Consistory, taught Sunday School, and served as a deacon.
Lowell's life-long passion was studying history. He was an active member of both the Ragersville and Dover Historical Societies. He was a member of the Board of Directors of the Alpine Hills Historical Museum and became its President in 2009. He also became the volunteer curator of the Museum that same year and wife Diana became volunteer coordinator for the Sugarcreek Information Center, housed within the Museum. Together Lowell and Diana worked tirelessly for the next seven years to build the Museum into a premier attraction showcasing the Amish and Swiss heritage of the Sugarcreek area.
For his dedicated community service, Lowell received numerous awards and recognition. He was a 2010 recipient of the Zeisberger Heckewelder Award from the Tuscarawas County Historical Society. That same year he received a Founding Father Award at the Celebrate Sugarcreek banquet, an annual event sponsored by the Sugarcreek Businessmen's Association. His wife Diana received that same award in 2014. In 2014 both Lowell and Diana were chosen as Honorary Candelighters for Sugarcreek's Christmas in the Village, an award bestowed upon those who give exceptional service to the community.
The family invites those who knew Lowell to fellowship with them this weekend. Calling hours will be held at the Smith-Varns Funeral Home in Sugarcreek on Saturday, December 12 from 2:00-6:00 p.m. A Celebration of Life service will be held on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. at the same location, followed by burial at Ragersville Cemetery with a luncheon to follow at Ragersville United Church of Christ. Memorials may be made to Alpine Hills Historical Museum, PO Box 293, Sugarcreek, OH 44681.
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