James W. Young

Jim Young, 78, formerly of 430 Pattison Street, St. Marys, passed away peacefully Wednesday, July 1, 2026, at Pinecrest Manor.

He was born June 1, 1948, in St. Marys, son of the late James C. and Ann Wilkes Young.  A lifelong resident of St. Marys, he graduated from Elk County Christian High School in 1966.  He attended Franciscan University of Steubenville and University of Pittsburgh at Bradford before starting work at Stackpole Carbon Company in 1969. Jim worked for Stackpole (later Mersen) and retired from there after 40 years of service.

Jim married Deanna Donachy on May 6, 1972, at Queen of the World Church.

In addition to his beloved wife of 54 years, he is survived by his daughters Janis Young of Virginia, Barbara Groba (Steve) and Julie Young of Pittsburgh, and Eric (Sabina) of Texas, and his siblings Mary Ann (Matt) Schwabenbauer of Kersey and Ken Young of St. Marys and six nieces and nephews.

An accomplished marksman, Jim had a particular passion for long-range shooting, and was a longtime member of the Ridgway Rifle Club and the National Rifle Association.  He was also a talented photographer, which he combined with his enthusiasm for gardening by choosing flowers that would shoot well.  He developed extensive collections of firearms and cameras, but was a serial collector of other objects, including pocket knives, straight razors, fountain pens, mechanical pencils, and pocket watches.

He was an active member of the ECCHS Music Boosters in the 1990s.  Later in life he developed an interest in home brewing and distillation, and was always tinkering with his recipes. He was also a connoisseur of bourbon and often “consulted his advisors,” Elijah, Evan, Jim, and Johnny.

After suffering a stroke in 2017, he was a regular attendee at the Adult Day Center where participating in activities and interacting with others assisted his recovery and provided respite for Deanna.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Queen of the World Church, Monday, July 6, 2026 at 10:00AM with Rev. Jeffery Noble, Pastor, celebrating.  Burial will follow in the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery.

Visitation will be held in the Lynch-Radkowski Funeral Home, 169 Center Street, St. Marys, PA 15857 on Monday, July 6, 2026 from 8:30AM until 9:30AM.

Memorial donations, if desired, may be made to the Penn Highlands Adult Day Center, 625 Maurus Street, St. Marys, PA 15857 or the Elk County Humane Society, 1029 E. Eschbach Road, St. Marys, PA 15857.