Ellen Jean Young
November 25, 1946 – June 10, 2026

Ellen Jean Young, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully at home with her loved ones by her side, leaving behind a legacy of deep love and cherished memories.

Born on November 25, 1946, in Elwood, Indiana, Ellen was the beloved daughter of Eugene B. and Belma J.
Atwood.

On October 31, 1965, she married her best friend and the love of her life, Duane L.
Young. Together, they built a beautiful life centered around family, friendship, and joy.

Ellen’s greatest pride was her family. She was a loving mother to her three children:
Duane L. Young Jr. (Sherri), Angela Pakes (Pete), and Christina Thompson (Brian).

She absolutely adored her seven grandchildren: Cody Young (Logan Fox), Travis Sherman (Shelbi), Zachary Young, Alyssa Sauceda (Cody), Austin Sherman (Maggie Jones), Zoe Pakes (Vincent Jennings), and Bailey Sherman (Zack Whitaker); as well as her four step-grandchildren: Chase Thompson (Abbie Wesley), Austin Jones (Aubrie), Megan Schultz (Caleb), and Carson Jones (Belle Vanklompenberg).

Her heart grew even larger with the arrival of her three great-grandsons: Jasper Dick, Beau Whitaker, and Waylon Sauceda; and her five step-great-grandchildren: Brentley Whitaker, Hazleigh Thompson, Fraser Jones, Juniper Jones, and Luca Vanklompenberg, all of whom brought immense happiness to her life.

Ellen believed in savoring life’s simple pleasures. She and Duane spent countless peaceful hours on their back porch, quietly watching Mother Nature together. They also shared a passion for music, frequently dancing the night away to their favorite tunes. Every summer, Ellen looked forward to beach trips with close friends, filling her days with laughter, sunshine, and lively card games.

She was preceded in death by her father, Eugene B. Atwood; her mother, Belma
J. Atwood; her brothers, Teddy Atwood and Steven Atwood; and her sisters, Marty Hardesty, Donna Jeske, and Kimberly Atwood.

Ellen will be deeply missed, but her vibrant spirit, her love of dance, and her devotion to her family will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.