Joseph M. “Joe” Young
August 22nd, 1963 - January 7th, 2026
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Joe's Obituary
Joseph M. “Joe” Young, 62, of St. Joseph, passed away, Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at Corewell Health Lakeland Hospital in St. Joseph.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held 1:00 P.M. Friday, January 16, 2026 at Chapel Hill United Methodist Church, 4071 Naomi Rd., Sodus. Burial will follow at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Sodus. Friends may visit with the Family from 5:00 until 8:00 P.M. Thursday at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorial donations in Joe’s name may be made to Chapel Hill United Methodist Church or Toys for Tots c/o Berrien County Riders. Those wishing to sign Joe’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
Joe was born August 26, 1963 in St. Joseph to Leonard & Phyllis Young. He graduated from Eau Claire High School, Class of 1981 and went on to earn an Associates Degree from Lake Michigan College and his Tool & Die Journeyman Card. Joe was employed for twenty-nine years at Mach Mold, followed by several years at Dura Mold, and was most recently employed at Colson Group. On October 15, 1988, Joe married the former Sandra Gillespie at Chapel Hill United Methodist Church.
Joe had a life-long passion for motorcycles starting with a mini-bike at home. He was soon racing the flat track at Millburg Speedway, and moto-cross at Red Bud. Eventually he progressed to his Harley Road Glide which he cherished for many years as part of the Berrien County Riders when he joined in 2003. He participated in all of their fund-raising events and was especially fond of the Christmas Season, Toys for Tots drive. He served as President of the BC Riders for two years, 2018 & 2019. Joe later replaced his Harley with a 2010 Challenger which he and Sandy would enjoy a summer evening cruise along the beach and car shows when they could.
Joe was a member of Chapel Hill United Methodist Church where he enjoyed the Men’s Bible Study. He also enjoyed the challenges he faced at work when told “that can’t be done.” Joe set out to prove them wrong and reached a solution to the issue. In his free time, Joe enjoyed duck hunting, cruising on his Harley or in his Challenger, but most of all, the time spent with his family and many friends.
Joe is survived by his wife Sandy; his sisters-Sharon (Kathryn Kirkpatrick) Young of Apache Junction, AZ, Jackie (Jim) Young-Hartman of Lawrence, MI; sister-in-law Sondra Young of Irons, MI; and several nieces and nephews which he loved as his own children. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Leonard, and his sister Karilyn “Sue” Lick.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held 1:00 P.M. Friday, January 16, 2026 at Chapel Hill United Methodist Church, 4071 Naomi Rd., Sodus. Burial will follow at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Sodus. Friends may visit with the Family from 5:00 until 8:00 P.M. Thursday at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorial donations in Joe’s name may be made to Chapel Hill United Methodist Church or Toys for Tots c/o Berrien County Riders. Those wishing to sign Joe’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
Joe was born August 26, 1963 in St. Joseph to Leonard & Phyllis Young. He graduated from Eau Claire High School, Class of 1981 and went on to earn an Associates Degree from Lake Michigan College and his Tool & Die Journeyman Card. Joe was employed for twenty-nine years at Mach Mold, followed by several years at Dura Mold, and was most recently employed at Colson Group. On October 15, 1988, Joe married the former Sandra Gillespie at Chapel Hill United Methodist Church.
Joe had a life-long passion for motorcycles starting with a mini-bike at home. He was soon racing the flat track at Millburg Speedway, and moto-cross at Red Bud. Eventually he progressed to his Harley Road Glide which he cherished for many years as part of the Berrien County Riders when he joined in 2003. He participated in all of their fund-raising events and was especially fond of the Christmas Season, Toys for Tots drive. He served as President of the BC Riders for two years, 2018 & 2019. Joe later replaced his Harley with a 2010 Challenger which he and Sandy would enjoy a summer evening cruise along the beach and car shows when they could.
Joe was a member of Chapel Hill United Methodist Church where he enjoyed the Men’s Bible Study. He also enjoyed the challenges he faced at work when told “that can’t be done.” Joe set out to prove them wrong and reached a solution to the issue. In his free time, Joe enjoyed duck hunting, cruising on his Harley or in his Challenger, but most of all, the time spent with his family and many friends.
Joe is survived by his wife Sandy; his sisters-Sharon (Kathryn Kirkpatrick) Young of Apache Junction, AZ, Jackie (Jim) Young-Hartman of Lawrence, MI; sister-in-law Sondra Young of Irons, MI; and several nieces and nephews which he loved as his own children. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Leonard, and his sister Karilyn “Sue” Lick.
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