Clifford L. Younkins, TSgt USAF Retired
Clifford L. Younkins, TSgt USAF Retired, 89, of Butler died Friday in Hospice Care at VA Butler Healthcare.
Born Aug. 30, 1928, in Worthington, to Clifford Donaldson Younkins and Margaret Kerr Younkins of West Winfield Pa., he was the oldest of five children.
Clifford graduated from Winfield Township High School in June 1948, where he played baseball and basketball. He continued his education at Butler Business College, then enlisted in the U.S. Air Force on Nov. 3, 1948. His training included military training Instructors School, Administrative School and Non-Commissioned Officer's Leadership School.
He served at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, Warren AFB in Cheyenne Wyo., Kirtland AFB in Albuquerque N.M., Itazuk AFB in Japan during the Korean War; Lockbourne AFB in Columbus, Ohio; Laredo AFB in Laredo, Texas and Elmendorf AFB in Anchorage, Alaska. He completed his active duty service on Nov. 1, 1970, after serving his country for 22 years.
He and his family traveled the 4,000 miles back to Pennsylvania by car with camper, traversing the original Alaska Highway, which was considered a rough road to drive with partially gravelled surface through Canada.
Clifford's service was recognized with Military Commendations including: Air Force Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Award, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award and Small Arms Expert Marksman Ribbon. In 2013, he was honored with a plate on the Legacy Data Plate Wall of Honor, National Museum of the USAF, Wright Patterson AFB Dayton OH — a trip that marked his 85th birthday.
After his retirement from the Air Force, Clifford was employed by the County of Butler, G.C. Murphy Co. and David H. Tack, Inc.
He graduated from Butler Community College in 1980. He also had a small business for engraving plastic signs and badges.
Clifford married Grace Floreed McCracken on Nov. 12, 1954, in Springdale, Pa. They celebrated 63 years of marriage this year with their five children, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. The couple were members of Christ Community United Methodist Church and enjoyed square dancing and round dancing with the Keystone Squares Club.
His hobbies included building and flying remote control aircraft and he was an active member of the Butler Area Radio Flying Society. He was an avid baseball fan and enjoyed daily crossword puzzles.
Loved ones left to cherish his memory in addition to his wife, Grace, are his five children and their spouses, Cheryl (Ralph) Youkers, of Butler, Lorie (Richard) Lewis, of Chicora, Janet (Paul) Kirkwood, of Butler, Clifford T. (Lisa) Younkins, Girard and Amy (Robert) Windom, of Orlando Fla.; four grandchildren, Dane (Rebecca) Youkers of Cheswick, Brittany Younkins of Girard, Courtney (Brandon) Youger of Sewickley, Nicole Kirkwood (fiancé Patrick LaFrankie) of Baldwin; three great-grandchildren, Gavin, Max and Ella Youkers of Cheswick; three brothers, Raymond (Audrey) Younkins of Butler, Lester (Margaret) Younkins of Portsmith, Va., and Gerald Younkins, Houston, Texas.
Clifford was preceded in death by his sister, Patricia Younkins.
YOUNKINS — Friends of Clifford L. Younkins, TSgt USAF Retired, who died Friday, Dec. 22, 2017, will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Thompson-Miller Funeral Home, 124 E. North St., Butler.Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Christ Community United Methodist Church, 205 N. Duffy Road, Butler, with Pastor Bruce Gascoine officiating.Burial will take place in the Butler County Memorial Park with full military honors provided by the U.S. Air Force.Online condolences can be given at www.thompson-miller.com.
