Roger Wesley Younglove

Roger Wesley Younglove born January 28, 1943, the only child of Ray W. and Margaret H. (Rathke) Younglove, passed from this world and entered eternal life on October 12, 2024.  He was diagnosed with Vascular Dementia in 2013 and fought it valiantly to the very end.  Family and friends can visit Capaul Funeral Home (Ida, MI) on Friday, October 18, 2024, from 2pm to 8pm.  Roger will lie-in-state at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church (Ida, MI) on Saturday, October 19, 2024, from 10am until the funeral service commences at 11am.  The burial of the cremains will take place at Maplewood Cemetery (Ida, MI) at a later date.

Roger lived in the Dundee, Michigan Area all his adolescent years.  He was Baptized and Confirmed at Azalia Methodist Church and graduated from Dundee Community Schools with his class of 1961.  While in high school, he played in the high school band and in a local band called, “Bobby Roof and the Shingles,” which was a band a few of the kids put together and they played at school dances, etc.  Roger loved all types of music and could play many types of woodwind and reed instruments.  The clarinet and saxophone were his favorites.

While in high school, Roger enlisted in the United States Marine Corps through the Student Delay Program.  Two weeks after graduation, he was off to Barstow, California and Camp Pendleton, where he was to study finance.  When the bandmaster was informed of Roger’s musical skills, he was transferred to the band’s base.  He was selected to march in the Rose Bowl Parade all three years of his enlistment.  As his regular enlistment was ending, he was offered the privilege to re-enlist and, in doing so, would send him to the Naval School of Music to become a conductor of his own band.  He declined.

Roger was married to Nancy Ott on June 25, 1966, by the Rev. Don F. Thomas at East Ida Immanuel Lutheran Church.  Fifty years later, they renewed those vows with the same minister.  Rev. Thomas performed the ceremony.  Roger and Nancy were Blessed with two beautiful daughters, Julie and Jodi, and two wonderful grandsons, Zachary and Tyler.

Roger continued his college education by obtaining an associate degree in applied science from Monroe County Community College, a bachelor’s degree in computer science and administration management from Wayne State University, and a master’s degree in computer security from Kensington University in California.  Most of his professional career was spent as a Computer Security Consultant and he lectured all over the United States.  In addition, he worked for the “Big Three” automotive groups in Detroit, Michigan for approximately five years and Michigan Gas for ten years.  Even after his retirement, he would receive calls from startup computer companies requesting his help with security issues.  He received many awards and accolades from his peers.

Roger was very active in the American Legion and was a life member of the Lynn C. Weeman Post 514.  He held many offices at this Post, including Post Adjutant for fifteen years, Post Commander, Ritual Team Member, and many others.  He was Second District of Michigan Commander and held committee memberships at the national level.  For thirty-five years, he was a member of the Voiture Locale 1153, Grand Voiture DU Michigan.

He loved his church, Prince of Peace Lutheran in Ida, Michigan.  He was a Eucharistic Minister for twenty years and founded the Liturgical Ministry Program.  He held many offices in the Church Council, taught Sunday School, and numerous other positions.

Roger was an avid reader, enjoyed fly fishing and snow skiing, and Loved-Loved-Loved the University of Michigan’s football team.  He and his wife traveled extensively throughout Europe, and they were at the Berlin Wall on 9/11 and heard by radio when the plane hit the second tower.

Roger is survived by his wife Nancy of fifty-eight years, daughters Julie A. Younglove-Webb and her husband Todd A. Webb and Jodi L. Younglove and her husband James (Jamie) Schardt, grandsons Zachary A. Webb and Tyler T. Webb, godson Ryan Montri and wife Erin, sister-in-law RuthAnn Smith, brothers-in-law Nick Smith and Alan Ahleman, nieces Sandy Baumgartner and Robin Fosdick, and several beloved cousins.  He has two grand-dogs Luna and Ida, that brought him much happiness.

He was preceded in death by his parents Ray and Margaret Younglove, his father-in-law and mother-in-law Harold and Mildred Ott, sisters-in-law Shirley Ott and Eileen Ahleman, and nephews Greg Ahleman and Bruce Ahleman.

The family would like to thank Heartland Hospice for helping with Roger’s care, which allowed him to stay in his own home almost to the end and Medilodge Nursing Home for their loving care.

If you would like to give a memorial in Roger’s name, please consider Prince of Peace Lutheran Church or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

The following is a poem written by his wife…

Change of Address

Today my body is whole again, I took my Heavenly Father’s hand

And together we walked side by side into the Promise Land.

My body is strong - - - - My mind is clear and I at last can see

The beauty of the Heavenly Home that God has saved for me.

Let’s raise a glass and give a toast to the one we loved so dear,

He lives in his New Home now; he is no longer here.