Vilas E. Young

Vilas Earl Young, 92, of Maryville, MO, passed away on Sunday, February 8, 2015, at the Nodaway Nursing Home, Maryville, surrounded by family. He was born the middle of three sons on November 16, 1922, near Ridgeway, MO, to Earl Caleb and Leona Fay (Smith) Young.

He attended the White Oak country school near their home and graduated from Ridgeway High School in 1940. He received his bachelors in 1946 from the University of Missouri, following his military service in WW II. He received his Master of Science degree from the University of Missouri in 1974. He was stationed in Guam with the US Marine Corps during the war. He was later in Germany with the Missouri National Guard during the Korean Conflict.

He married Marguerite Gutekunst on September 12, 1948, in Moberly, MO, and they lived in Moberly, Ridgeway, Gallatin and in Maryville since 1964.

From 1957 to 1982, he worked in Missouri Extension Service in Gallatin and Maryville, MO. He later worked as an agriculture advisor for Bank Midwest. His was a member of the Host Lions Club, Men’s Forum, and the First Christian Church, all of Maryville. He served as a member and past president of the Maryville R-II School Board, was a council member and past Mayor of the city of Maryville. He was a long-time supporter of Mozingo Lake project and the NW Technical School. He was also a volunteer with the Meals on Wheel program and the Ministry Center, all of Maryville.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Marguerite in 2014, and his son, Jeffrey; his brothers Gerald and Vern Young; and a cousin who was raised in their home, Darryl Francis.

Mr. Young is survived by his children and their spouses: Anita (Jerry) Dew, Maryville, Janice (Jim) Meyer, Ankeny, IA, Nina (Paul) Nickerson, Maryville, Ellen (Bob) Ferguson, Maryville, Nancy (Paul) Costello, Kansas City, MO, and Dr. Eric (Nanette) Young, Ft. Collins, CO; grandchildren, Jennifer (Doug) Salvo, Jon (Lisa) Nickerson, Jeff Nickerson (Casey Abington), Rob (Amy) Ferguson, Dan Ferguson, and fiancée Elaine Angerer, Brian (Miranda) Ferguson, Lauren (John) Springli, Elizabeth Young, Matthew Young, Becky (Nate) Crosby, Allison (Kevin) Punch, and 1st Lt. James Costello; great grandchildren, Katie Salvo, Claire and Ava Nickerson, Sam, Madeline, and Noah Ferguson, Conner and Joel Ferguson, Keaton Crosby, and Elliot Punch; cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Mr. Young has been cremated and his memorial service will be held at 1:00 PM on Friday, February 13, 2015, at the First Christian Church, 201 W. 3rd, Maryville, MO 64468. The committal service will follow at the Miriam Cemetery, also of Maryville. Military Rites at the cemetery will be conducted by the Missouri Military Honors Detail, and members of the James Edward Gray American Legion Post 100, Maryville.

The family will receive friends from 5-7:00 PM on Thursday, February 12, 2015, at the First Christian Church, Maryville.
Memorials are suggested to the First Christian Church, the Maryville Host Lions Club, or the Nodaway County Office of the University of Missouri Extension. They can be mailed or left at the funeral home.

Services are under the direction of the Bram-Danfelt Funeral Home, Maryville, MO. For online condolences and guest book, visit www.bramfuneralhome.com