Ernest Linwood 'Lin' Young

Ernest Linwood Lin Young, 69, of Gallipolis passed away unexpectedly on November 12thwhile vacationing.His death brings to a close a life filled with hard work, service, adventure, andlove and loyalty to friends. Lin was born to Linwood and Avanelle (McDaniel) Young in Clarksburg, West Virginia . After attending Greenbrier Military Academy for several years, he graduated from Philippi High School .Lin attended Alderson-Broaddus College where he majored in business administration, played basketball, and joined the Delphic Fraternity.Upongraduating from college, he was commissioned in the United States Navy where he, as call-sign Buzzard, flewA4 Skyhawks and instructed upcoming aviators in advanced jets.Shortly after his commissioning in the Navy, Lin married Gloria Kay Freeland, his faithful companion until her death after a lengthy illness in 1984. Aftersixyears in the Navy, Lin began his life as a family man in 1972 settling down in Gallipolis where he remained for the rest of his life.As a sales representativeand subsequent AthensBranch store managerfor WalkerMachinery,Lin devoted thirty-six years to thelifeblood of Southeastern Ohio :coal, timber, and energy.In the late 1970s, he was in the coal business as part-owner of CKL Mining.Lin continued to work in the heavy equipment industryafter retirementas a part-time field inspector for IronPlanet. While his career in the military and industry are notable, Lins dedication to his family, friends, and church will also be remembered.He married J. Beverly (Johnson) Young in 1985 thus becoming the father of five.He was a member of Grace United Methodist Church since 1972 where he served on several committees that governed the affairs of the church.As a former naval aviator, he lent his expertise as a member of the Gallia-MeigsAirport Authority.As a lover of trains, he served as District Superintendentfor the National Model Railroaders Association where he earned the Russ Wenderfer Award for outstanding promotion of his hobby.He also opened his home to countless guests to both see and operate the Grafton and Greenbrier, the model railroad in his basement (graftonandgreenbrier.com).In recent years, he further broadened his horizons by joining the board of trusteesfor the French Art Colony. Lin was also a member of the Bigelow Masonic Lodge #52 of Phillipi, West Virginia and a member of the Ancient, Accepted Scottish Rites, Valley of Columbus Lodge and Aladdin Shrine. Any picture of Lin would be incomplete without mentioning those things that are hard to quantify:his willingness to lend a helping hand, his ability to connect with just about anyone, and his loyalty to his family. Lin is preceded in death by Gloria, his parents, his stepfather A. Browne Corley and a sister-in-law, Linda Corley.In addition to Beverly, he is survivedbyhis sister Nancy (James) Coleman of Lewisburg, West Virginia .He is further survived by his five children:Charles Young(Jessica)of Meeker, Oklahoma ; Jennifer (Michael)Gambla of Hinsdale, Illinois; Gordon (Stephanie) Spleteof Cincinnati; Eric (Jenn) Splete of Hinckley, Ohio; and Shenan (Craig)Jones of Hinckley, Ohio.He is also survived by twelvegrandchildren: Emily, Natalie, Sadie and Kate Young; Madeline, Abigail and Amelia Gambla; Olivia and CalvinSplete; and Davey, Thomas and JaynaJones. Also surviving are his stepbrothers and stepsisters, A.B. "Sonny" (Cathy) Corley, Jr. of Elkview, West Virginia, Craig (Hilda) Corley of Gloucester, Virginia, Katie (Tom) Nee of Lower Burrell, Pennsylvania, Mike Corley of Lewisburg, West Virginia and Mary Jo (Cornelius) Jones of Institute, West Virginia. Services will be 11:00 a.m., Friday, November 18, 2011 at Grace United Methodist Church with Pastor Bill Thomas officiating. The body will lie in state one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow in Mound Hill Cemetery. Friends may call at the Willis Funeral Home on Thursday, November 17, 2011 from 4-8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, The French Art Colony of Gallipolis or any church of your choice. Cemetery: Mound Hill Cemetery Visitation: Willis Funeral Home, Thursday, November 17, 2011 4-8 p.m. Service: Grace United Methodist Church, Friday, November 18, 2011 11:00 a.m.