Lois Armstrong (Armstrong) Young

Lois Armstrong Young, 94, passed away suddenly on August 31, 2018. She was born in Barnesville, Ohio to Henry Buell and Della Ault Armstrong on July 30, 1924, the middle of 3 sisters. She was the Salutatorian of her high school class and won a state championship in Latin as a junior. She graduated from Muskingum College where she met her future husband, Reagan Harris Young, Jr., who was assigned to a special army training unit there after he was drafted for WWII. Upon Harris’s return from… the war in 1946, the couple married at a ceremony at her parents’ home and traveled by train to set up housekeeping in Rolla, Missouri where he completed his chemical engineering degree. Lois took a job as a high school teacher in nearby Newburg, MO to support them. Harris found his initial job at the Missouri Highway Dept. in Jefferson City, MO in 1949. Their first son, Terrill, was born there in 1951. Harris’ next, and final, job was with the C. K. Williams Plant in E. St. Louis, IL and they purchased their first home in Collinsville, Illinois. Their second son, Donald, was born in 1954. Once the boys were in school, Lois returned to teaching, initially as a substitute, and then as a full time elementary teacher at the old Dorris Elementary School. At the same time, she obtained her Masters Degree in Education at SIU-Edwardsville during the evenings. Lois was a very active, long time member of P.E.O. and the First United Methodist Church in Collinsville. In the 1970’s, the family became active in Civil War Re-enacting. Lois sewed the authentically-detailed artillery uniforms that Harris, the boys, and even the grandchildren wore during the mock battles. She also made period dresses for herself, her daughter-in-law, and the 3 granddaughters for these events which brought the families together several times a year. Lois was an avid reader and enjoyed challenges. In the 50’s and 60’s, she liked to play Bridge. When computers came along, she obtained one and used it to see pictures of all the new children of her family, keep up with the news, and edit the church bulletin – even until early this year. Lois followed all of the St Louis Cardinals baseball games and recently the Cincinnati Reds. She used her knitting talents to provide pieces for soldiers for WWII and prayer shawls for the church. She was preceded in death by both sisters (Janet and Dorcas) and Harris, who passed away not long after their 71st wedding anniversary last year. She is survived by her two sons, 6 grandchildren, and 9 great-grandchildren.

Lois supported many charities, and the family is requesting memorials be made to Collinsville First United Methodist Church or the Salvation Army.

Visitation was held at 9:00am Thursday, September 6, 2018 at the First United Methodist Church, 207 West Church Street, Collinsville with the funeral service at 11:00am at the church with Rev. Scott Carnes officiating. Burial was at Lake View Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Fairview Heights, IL. Allan & Ciuferi Funeral Home, Collinsville is in charge of arrangements.

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