Youngblood

Joseph O. Youngblood, 85, of Butler died at 1:55 p.m. Tuesday at Butler Memorial Hospital.

Born Sept. 2, 1921, in Butler, he was the son of Joseph W. and Hallie E. Knox Youngblood.

He was a member of St. John's Reformed Church.

Mr. Youngblood was a decorated Army veteran of World War II and mostly served in the Philippines with the Army Rangers' 6th Battalion Alamo Division. He rescued prisoners of war from the Bataan death march, received a bronze medal for his heroism depicted in the movie "The Great Raid," and was interviewed on the History Channel.

He had been a turn foreman in the melt shop at Armco-Butler Works and retired after 35 years.

Mr. Youngblood was a member of the Masons, former PER of the Elks Lodge 170 Butler, American Legion Post 117 and the VFW.

Surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Robert (Hallie Youngblood) Kemery of Burlison, Tenn., and Mrs. Bill (Marti Youngblood) McCandless of Butler; a son, Joseph Warren Youngblood of Tacoma, Wash.; 10 grandchildren; nine great- grandchildren; and three step-great-grandchildren.He was preceded in death by his wife, Evelyn J. Fink Youngblood, who died April 8, 1998; a grandchild; two sisters, and a brother.

<B>YOUNGBLOOD</B> — Friends of Joseph O. Youngblood, who died Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2006, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today at <B>Young Funeral Home</B>, 127 W. Jefferson St. Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home with his pastor, the Rev. Robert Peterson, officiating. Burial, with military honors by the Moniteau Ceremonial Squad, will follow at Butler County Memorial Park, Butler Township.Masonic services will be held at 6:45 p.m. today at the funeral home.Elks Lodge 170 will hold services at 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.Information also is available at www.youngfuneralhomes.com.