Avanell Youngen

Avanell Youngen, 79, of New Philadelphia, passed away on Tuesday, October 20, 2009 in New Dawn Health Care Center at Dover following a period of declining health due to cancer.A daughter of the late Merlin and Audra (Gartrell) Stiffler, Avanell was born January 9, 1930 at New Philadelphia, Ohio.She graduated from Midvale High School in 1947 and worked as a secretary in a New Philadelphia law office. On June 18, 1948, Avanell married Warner Youngen. The couple shared 49 years of marriage prior to Warner’s passing in 1998. She was a member of the first United Church of Christ at Sugarcreek.Avanell enjoyed working in her floral gardens, was an avid history buff and enjoyed genealogy. She also enjoyed planning family reunions and e-mailing family and friends..She is survived by her three daughters, Waneta (Gary) Schlegel of Heath, Ohio, Barbara (Russell) Sheneman of New Philadelphia and Loretta (Rich) West of Strasburg; eight grandchildren, Julianna (Joseph) Schueler of Columbus, Rachel Schlegel of Canal Winchester, Rocky (Stephanie) Sheneman of Evansville, Indiana, Bryan (Crystal) Sheneman of Dover, Billy (Linda) Grimm of New Philadelphia, Adam (Heather Moore) Grimm of Madisonville, Tennessee, David (Jackie) West of Columbus and Emily (David) Schultz of Galloway, Ohio and 11 great grandchildren, Jacob and Joshua Schueler, Deanna, Katelyn, Ashley, Courtney and Brandon Sheneman, Gavin Grimm, Kaley Moore, Tatum West and Claire Schultz.Also surviving are two nieces, Sharon (Steve) Sword of Casper, Wyoming and Teresa (Gary) Ridley of Friendswood, Texas, daughters of Avanell’s late brother, Arthur Stiffler. Several nieces and nephews by marriage also survive.Family and friends may call on Thursday, October 22, 2009 from 4 to 7 p.m. in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia. A funeral service celebrating Avanell’s life will be held on Friday, October 23, 2009 at 1 p.m. in the Linn-Hert-Geib Chapel with her grandson, Rev. Rocky Sheneman and Rev. Anissa Bacon officiating. Burial will follow in East Lawn Cemetery at Sugarcreek. Following the committal service a memorial reception will be held in the Geib Family Center at New Philadelphia.