« Return to Obituaries | Print
May 6th, 1927 - Jul 21st, 2016Funeral: 11 a.m. Monday, July 25, 2016 at Frank & Bright Funeral Home
Visitation: 6-8 p.m. Sunday at Frank & Bright Funeral Home
Interment: Floral Garden of Memories with full military honors
Paul Lester Youngblood, age 89, of Flora, Illinois, passed away Thursday evening, July 21, 2016, at Flora Rehabilitation and Health Care Center in Flora.
Paul was born May 6, 1927, in Herrin, to Paul and Ruth (Bandy) Youngblood. He was united in marriage to Vivian B. Gentry on July 30, 1944, and together they celebrated 71 wedding anniversaries.
Paul served his country in the U.S. Army during World War II in Italy and Germany, where he was an artillery scout, earning the rank of Sergeant. One of his biggest thrills was being one of the first honorees to be aboard the Central Illinois Honor Flight to Washington, D.C.
Paul worked as an industrial engineer for Sparton Manufacturing; Champion Labs; and Stevens Industries until retirement. He then went to work for C.E.F.S. as transportation coordinator and was awarded Statewide Employee of the Year. His biggest joy was helping other people which he continued doing by driving the transportation vans for the Opportunity Center and Heritage Woods. Paul was a member of Flora First United Methodist Church, the Golden Links Sunday School Class, and also served on the church board. He enjoyed listening to Southern Gospel music and going fishing. Paul adored his children and grandchildren, enjoying the times they spent together at family gatherings.
He is survived by his wife: Vivian Youngblood of Flora; children: Dennis (Kathy) Youngblood of Flora, Terry (Linda) Youngblood of Effingham, and Gayla (Bryan) Land of Flora; 6 grandchildren: Bekin Youngblood, Leslie Rusk, Zachary (Brittany) Youngblood, Andrew (Amanda) Youngblood, Maleah Land, and Mitchell (Anna) Land; 6 great-grandchildren: Rayden Moore, Sydney Youngblood, Liam Moore, Jase Rusk, Eva Youngblood, and Maximilian Youngblood; along with several nieces and nephews. He will also be missed by his special companion “Cobey”, a Lhasa Apso. Paul was preceded in death by his parents; 4 sisters: Lacletia Youngblood, Naomi Beck, Margie Brown, Mary Lou Mead; and twin brother: Luther Youngblood.
A funeral service for Paul Youngblood will be 11 a.m. Monday, July 25, 2016, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home, Flora, with Rev. Peter Wehrly officiating. Interment will be in Floral Garden of Memories, Flora, with full military honors. Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Sunday at Frank & Bright Funeral Home. Memorial donations may be given to First United Methodist Church, Central Illinois Honor Flight, or Clay County Hospice and these will be accepted at the funeral home.
Oct 27, 1934 - Apr 21, 2024
May 31, 1946 - Apr 20, 2024
Aug 8, 1939 - Apr 18, 2024
Jul 20, 1934 - Apr 14, 2024
Aug 31, 1955 - Apr 12, 2024
Mrs. Youngblood, Dennis, Terry, Gayla and Families: Our deepest sympathies to each of you. We're so sorry for your loss. I first met Paul in 1972 while working at Sparton and then 24 years later, when he worked for CEFS and I worked for Clay County Rehab, our paths crossed again. He always had a smile and a kind word. He enjoyed his jobs and loved helping others. He will be missed by all who knew him. Please know that y'all are in our thoughts and prayers during this sad time. May God bless and comfort you. RIP Paul ✝
Prayers are with you during this time, Paul was a wonderful guy!
Vivian, my prayers are with you. Paul was a great man. May his soul rest in peace. God bless you.
Gayla Vivian and the rest of the family so sorry to hear about Paul he was a kind and caring person. Have lots of found memories of him may he rest in peace my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Vivian, Gayla and family, my Prayers are with you at this time. Paul was such a wonderful man. Always enjoyed talking with him when he came into Coble & Milone. Enjoyed the many talks with Paul and Vivian at their home when delivering Mary Kay to Vivian. Rest in Peace Paul. In Christian Love Jodi
Vivian, Dennis, and all of your family. We are sorry to hear of your loss. You are all in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Sorry for the loss of your dad. Your mom and dad were such nice, nice people and will be missed. It is very hard as a daughter to lose your dad. Prayers for you all.
So sorry for your loss. We worked with him at Spartons.
Gayla and family, so sorry about your loss. He was a wonderful man who loved his family. Prayers.
Very sorry to hear of the loss of you father. May God be with you and watch over you as you go threw the next few days.
Condolences to family. Thinking of you Kathy and Dennis. You are in my prayers.
So sorry for your loss.
Paul was a wonderfully kind man with a terrific sense of humor. I had the pleasure to work with him while employed by CEFS. Paperwork was repetitive and monotonous for him so I was asked to develop a timesaver. He and I traveled to other counties to train employees of the agencies to use this. He will be missed. The family will be in my prayers during this time of immense sadness.
You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Prayers for the family, such a loss of a very nice calm man. Enjoyed our chats & friendship! God Bless!
Aunt Vivian, Gayla, Denny, Randy, and all of the rest of the family: my thoughts and prayers are with you all. I was so very sad to hear of Uncle Lester's passing. He was a sweet man and I know he will be missed. Oh what a reunion there must have been in Heaven last night. We miss them all!
So sorry for your loss.
I remember Paul when he worked for the transportation program and he would stop by the CEFS central office where I work. He was a such a sweet guy. I'm so sorry for your loss. I know he will be missed.
It's a blessing to have known such a wonderful couple and our hearts ache for Vivian and all of Paul's loved ones. He was such a wonderful man...always a joy to be around him. We will keep you in our prayers.
Vivian,Dennis, Kathy and family.....Always a smile, a fine man, who I enjoyed thru out the years, rest in peace friend.........
So sorry for your loss.
Very sorry for your loss our thoughts and prayers are with you.
What wonderful wonderful memories. He and Vivian were two of the finest and best people in the whole world . Our families have bee close for years and words are inadequate to describe what beautiful children they have. We love the entire family. May God richly bless you all and comfort you in this time of sorrow.
My deepest condolences to the family.
Sorry to lose a good neighbor. Paul was always uplifting and determined to keep going. I'm going to miss seeing him on his walks with "Cobey" even though it was with his walker in later times. Now rest in peace, Paul.
I was very sad when Kathleen told me of Paul's death. I know he had not been well but didn't realize he was this bad. He and Vivian were both truly someone anyone would love. Please accept my sincere sympathy to all the family and know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and yours. There are those at church that remember Paul and I will share with them in the morning and we will all pray for the family and please pass this on to Vivian. Fond Memories.
Vivian and family, We were sorry to hear of the passing of Lester. We still have memories of seeing you at Truth Seekers singings and also have memories of the earlier years. With Love and Prayers, Melvin and Linda
My sincere sympathy to you Vivian and children. My heart aches for you.
DENNIS, KATHY, AND FAMILY. I AM SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. I KNOW HE WILL BE SADLY MISSED. YOU ARE IN MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS.
Our sincere sympathies for your loss.
Viv and Family, We are so sorry for your loss but he is now in a much better place . Paul was such a wonderful man and Ken and I loved him so much as so many others have
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your father, Dennis. My deepest condolences go out to you and your family.
We are so very sorry for your loss. Your family will be kept in our prayers during this time of grieving.
Thoughts and prayers to such a wonderful family. I always loved coming to your house Gayla because your whole family was always so happy and kind.
We loved and appreciated Uncle Lester and he will be missed by many. We are sorry we could not make the trip for the services because of my health problems. I will continue to pray for you all every day by name as I always have. I have sent hundreds of healing prayers up for Uncle Lester and have requested it twice at church, Winters Chapel UMC. We were with you in spirit. We love you Aunt Vivian, Denny, Terry and Gayla.
Vivian and family, I am so very sorry to learn about Paul's passing. I have lost track of you, however, always remember how much I enjoyed Paul's company, such a nice guy, and of course Viv's friendship. I pray for God's comfort at this time of sorrow, for all of you. Keep looking up!
Frank & Bright Funeral Home
and Cremation Services
500 North Main Street
Flora, Illinois 62839
Phone : (618) 662-2141
Fax: (618) 662-4600
Email: [email protected]
