Harvey H. Youker, Sr.

Harvey H. Youker, Sr., passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 1, 2021 surrounded by his loving family at the age of 89.

Harvey was born on September 5, 1931 in Stratford,  NY the son of the late Earl and Nina (Sponable) Youker. Harvey grew up on his family dairy farm and at the age of 18, enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He served for four years including as a crew chief of helicopter maintenance overseas during the Korean War.

After his honorable discharge from the service, Harvey spent the rest of his life in the forestry industry. There wasn’t a tree he couldn’t identify. He worked for a long period of time as a manager for Adirondack / Rawlings. He then went to work as a manager for Ames/True Temper in Ohio. When True Temper decided to build a plant in Pine Valley, Harvey was in charge of overseeing the building, and then became plant manager.

Harvey was an avid outdoorsman, including hunting, fishing and hiking and spending time in the woods. He passed on those same traditions to his children. In his retirement years, he built a cabin in the Adirondacks where he enjoyed many joyful family memories. He will be remembered as a man who could fix anything, and who also reminded you to be quiet when fishing—least you disturb the fish. His legacy will live on in the cabin he built by hand.

He is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Claudia A. Mosher Youker; children, Pauline (Larry) Williams of Salisbury, NY, Donna (Joseph) Novak of  Galway, NY, Karen (Larry) Francisco of Amsterdam, NY, Lorraine (George)Deveny of Dolgeville, NY, Harvey Youker Jr. of Ft. Myers, FL, Michelle (Robert) Buffis of Lanesboro, MA and Darrin (Esther) Youker of E. Berlin, PA; 19 dear grandchildren and several great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, and extended family members. 

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by all his 11 siblings, Leon Youker, Kenneth “Bud” Youker, Roy Youker, Christine Steciak, Iva Mae Heavener,  Ivan Youker, Clara Maine, Lendole Youker, Marlene Barnes, Earl “Jim” Youker, Jeanne Schuyler. He was also predeceased by his first wife Lois (Cramer) Youker and his grandson, Collin Youker.

The family will welcome relatives and friends to Sullivan’s Funeral Home, 365 E. Franklin St., at Rt. 13, Horseheads, NY on Wednesday, July 7, 2021 from 4-6PM. As all are welcomed, we will be adhering to local regulations. The family will also welcome relatives and friends to Miller-Plonka Funeral Home, 30 Wolf St., Dolgeville, NY on Thursday, July 8, 2021 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. with his funeral services at 3 p.m. immediately following the calling hour. Burial will take place at Salisbury Rural Cemetery with military honors immediately following.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to remember Harvey please consider donations in his memory to www.alivingtribute.org, or a worthy charity of your choice.

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