March 21, 1941 – January 4, 2023
Ronald Gene Young, commonly known as “Gobbie”, passed away at his home during the early hours of Wednesday, January 4, 2023, at the age of 81.
He was born on March 21, 1941, in Darke County, Ohio, to the late Clarence Otho and Hazel Marie (Erwin) Young.
In addition to his parents, Ronald was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Rita Joan (McEowen) Young, whom he married on June 1, 1963 and who passed away on January 4, 2021; his sons, Ronald L. Kaffenberger and Michael A. Kaffenberger, Sr.; his great-grandchildren, Audrianna Rene Kaffenberger, and Kalla Lilly Kaffenberger; his brothers, Charles N. Young, Robert L. Young, Donald E. Young, Raymond L. Young, James O. Young, Paul D. Young, John R. Young, Lonnie M. Young, and Leslie E. McKinley; his sisters, Mable I. Young, Anna L. McKinley; sister-in-law, Jackie Brown; his brothers-in-law, Robert McEowen, and Ralph and June McEowen; and his father and mother-in-law, Lowell and Dortha (Hathaway) McEowen.
Ronald was best known as Gobbie at work. He worked for the Union City Body Company as a line worker until he retired after 41 years. Ronald was a member of the Local 494. He served his community as a volunteer firefighter for the Rossburg Fire Department for 35 years. Ronald never knew a stranger. He had the gift of talking. He loved his NASCAR races and enjoyed seeing his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.
Ronald is survived by his children, Lora (Perry) Widener of Rossburg, Ohio, Robert Kaffenberger, Jr. of Union City, Ohio, Jack (Becky Marshall) Kaffenberger, Sr. of Rossburg, Ohio, Steven (Tammy) Kaffenberger of New Weston, Ohio, and Dawn Kaffenberger of New Weston, Ohio; his grandchildren, Jennifer (Josh) Thacker, Nicole (Eric) Perkins, Jack Kaffenberger, Jr., Tracy Marshall and Eric Marshall, Michael (Kyra) Kaffenberger, Jr., Ashley (Wes) Givens, Steven CC Kaffenberger, Jeffrey (Ashley) Kaffenberger, Brandon (Morgan) Kaffenberger; Jodi (Robert) Konar, Jessica (Bruce) Garwood, and Cody (Rikki Poppe) Widener.
Ronald is also survived by his great grandchildren, Jared, Joslyn and Jace Thacker, Rylie Perkins, Kadyn Edwards, Riley Kaffenberger, Brooklyn, Brayden and Reid Kaffenberger, Madison and Kayden McCallister, Cassey Givens, Brooklyn, Parker and Katie Kaffenberger, Kam, Ayley and Mason Kaffenberger, Oakleigh and River Kaffenberger, Emilie and Hannah Greene, Kaisley McCann, Brayden, Corbin, Toby and Kyler Widener, and Riley, Charlie and Bradey Poppe; his great-great grandson, Thayer Kaffenberger; his siblings, William (Barbara) Young, Walter (Betty) Young, Sam (Barbara) Grice, Scott (Jessica) Young, Mary Young, Karen Young, Shirley Young, and Nancy Young; his brother-in-law, Roger McEowen; and his sister-in-law, Mary Kathern McEowen.
Ronald will be missed by special friends, Wilma Young Flack, Randy and Sonya Lauterbach, Karissa Lauterbach, and Robert (Nadine) Turner, and his dog, Peanut, who kept him company.
A celebration of Ronald’s life will take place at 12:00 PM on Monday, January 9, 2023, at Tribute Funeral Homes, Greenville Campus, with Pastor George Hughes officiating. Burial will follow in Brock Cemetery.
Guests may visit with Ronald’s family on Monday from 10:00 AM until the start of the service at noon at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be given to EverHeart Hospice, 1350 N. Broadway Street, Greenville, Ohio 45331, or the Rossburg Fire Department, 101 South Broad Street Rossburg, Ohio 45362.
Online condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.tributefuneralhomes.com.