Harold “Ernie” Edward Young, 79, Rochester was surrounded by his loving family when he passed away at Life Care Center, Rochester at 10:25 p.m. on Wednesday, March 15, 2017.

Born in South Bend at St. Joseph Hospital on July 27, 1937, Ernie Young was the treasured son of Earl and Helen Young. Growing up he shared his childhood with his half-brother Earl Eldridge. With great pride, Ernie graduated from Richland Center High School in 1950.

On September 1, 1967, Ernie married Carole Grace Potter at the Presbyterian Church in Rochester. Together they shared nearly 50 years of life’s adventures. Over the years the family tree grew with the added blessings of six grandchildren.

Ernie enjoyed a long career with General Motors that lasted the duration of 34 years. Ernie has been a faithful member of the First Christian Church. Upon retirement, Ernie and his wife Carole moved to Mission Texas for a ten years. He returned to Rochester afterwards.

Ernie enjoyed traveling across the U.S. with a few memorable destinations being Mt. Rushmore, Gettysburg, and San Diego. An avid sports fan, Ernie enjoyed keeping up with Notre Dame, the St. Louis Cardinals, and the Green Bay Packers.

Enjoying reading along with his wife, they shared a collection that surpassed three thousand books. One of his favorite authors was James Michener. He also loved boating on the sparkling waters of Lake Manitou and snowmobiling up to Michigan. Ernie will also be remembered for his passion of growing roses.

Left to cherish Ernie’s memory are his wife Carole; two sons: Lance S. Young and wife Becky of Rochester, Shawn Foster Young and wife Jasmine of Pasadena, Maryland; three stepchildren: Mark Samuel Dibble and wife Claire of Johns Creek, Georgia, Melinda Anne Coomes and husband Thomas of North Liberty, and Michelle Susanne Kaylan and husband Howard of Seattle, Washington; a sister, Judy Taylor of Rochester; sister-in-law Susan Hall of Westfield, Pennsylvania; six grandchildren: Tom Coomes, Haley Coomes, Mike Dibble, Shaun Dibble, Jackie Young and husband Eric, and Samantha Sawyer and husband Joshua. Ernie is predeceased by his parents, Earl and Helen Young, and a half-brother, Richard Eldridge.

Pastor Mike VanHeyningen will officiate services. Military honors will be conducted by the Fulton County Veteran’s Honor Guard and the US Army Honor Guard . Interment will be in the Rochester IOOF Cemetery.