Merrill V. Younkin

Merrill V. Younkin

Feb. 2, 1925 – Aug. 16, 2007

Devoted, Loving Husband and Father, Merrill Vernon Younkin, age 82, joined the Mate of his Soul, Dorothy V. Younkin, who preceded him in death last year, quietly passed away on August 16, 2007. Born in Great Bend, Kansas, he was the youngest son of Charles F. and Nannie S. Younkin. After graduating from Great Bend High School in 1943 he joined the US Navy serving his country honorably and with distinction aboard the destroyer, USS Wallace L. Lind (DD-703) until 1946. Returning home from the war he was introduced to Dorothy Kerbs, and later on December 22, 1946 they married. He graduated from Wichita Business College under the GI Bill and accepted an Industrial Engineering position (IE) with The Boeing Company in Wichita, Kansas. Merrill would spend 37 successful years with The Boeing Company. He joined Boeing Management in 1951. In 1968 he transferred to Everett, Washington and dedicated the next several years of his life contributing to the success of the 747, immortalized in Boeing Lore along with fellow Everett Employees of the time, known as "The Incredibles". He served on the Executive Management Council for the United Way of Snohomish County. Merrill retired from Boeing in 1987 as Senior Director of Industrial Engineering at Renton. In his career he was involved with the B-47, B-52 and all Boeing Commercial Airplanes through the 767. Merrill and Dorothy enjoyed a long, relaxing and enjoyable retirement traveling the country in their motor home, visiting many exotic locations and their annual winter sojourn to Palm Springs. During his retirement years, he devoted much time to the research of family genealogy. Early in adult life he spent over 15 years working with the Boy Scouts of America. He was a member of The American Historical Society of Germans from Russia, Lynnwood Elks 2717, American Legion Post 66, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3070, and St. Matthew Lutheran Church. His life long hobby was coin collecting and was an active member of the American Numismatic Association and Society of Paper Money Collectors.
Merrill is survived by son, Keith; and daughter, Jayne Younkin, both of Edmonds, WA; and sisters, Francis Fox and Patricia Baxter, of Great Bend, KS; and 20 nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his Mother and Father; older brothers, George, Wayne, and Dwight; and the Love of his Life, wife, Dorothy. Merrill will always be remembered for his love and devotion of family, his compassion for others, adventurous spirit and his sense of humor. He will be greatly missed by all whose lives and hearts he touched in so many ways.
Funeral Service will be at Edmonds Lutheran Church on 23525 84th Avenue West, Edmonds, Washington on August 29, 2007. Viewing will be 10:30 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. There will be a gathering during this time with refreshments and socializing prior to the service. Service begins at 12:00 Noon. Burial with military honors will immediately follow Service at Edmonds Cemetery, 820 15th Ave SW.
In lieu of flowers, cash donations may be given to the Edmonds Fire Safety Foundation, P.O. Box 157, Edmonds, WA 98020.
Arrangements by Beck's Funeral Home 425-771-1234.