Thurman L. Younker, Jr.
1930-2021
Thurman Leroy “Junior” Younker, Jr., age 91, of Berkeley Springs, W.Va., died on Tuesday, February 9, 2021 at his home while under the care of Hospice of the Panhandle.
Born January 4, 1930 in Big Pool, Md., he was the son of the late Thurman Leroy, Sr. and Daisy Margaret Reed Younker.
He was a member of Parkhead United Methodist Church in Big Pool, Md. Junior was a 1948 graduate of Clear Spring High School.
He worked at Snyder’s Grocery in Indian Springs, Md., Pittman’s Market in Hancock, Md., drove truck for Berkeley Club in Berkeley Springs, and leased a small grocery business from Albert and Opal Butler. Junior purchased the Hillbilly Drive-In from Richard Garrett in 1967.
In 1967, Junior and his wife, Helen opened Jr’s Supermarket, where he was best seen behind the meat counter preparing your fresh ground burger or sausage with a smile on his face, singing or whistling. He never met a stranger and always took time to talk about tractors, old cars and his family. He would deliver groceries to the elderly or to people unable to get out. Junior and Helen operated the supermarket until their retirement in 2003. After his retirement he tinkered around the house and did odd jobs.
Junior enjoyed spending time with his family, singing and listening to hymns and country music, was fascinated with Gene Autry, Roy Rogers, The Lone Ranger, old Walt Disney movies and cartoons. He enjoyed riding horses with his children on his family’s property, loved talking about the “olden” days and taking rides on old trains. Junior always wanted to travel out west to Tombstone and other popular destinations. He attended the Frederick County Fair in Frederick, Md., every possible year he could and enjoyed visiting and touring train and steam engine museums. Junior enjoyed traveling to the south to visit family and attending his grandchildren’s sports games and activities.
He is survived by his children, Patti J. Mills and her husband Randy, Darrin L. Younker and his wife Tracy, and Dennis T. Younker, all of Berkeley Springs; one sister, Doris M. Carpenter of Stone Mountain, Ga.; one brother, Glenn E. Younker of Hagerstown, Md.; five grandchildren, Jason L. Mills and his wife, Grace of Hedgesville, W.Va., Jeremy L. Mills, Nathaniel L. Younker, Sara N. Younker, Krisha B. McCoy, all of Berkeley Springs; two great grandchildren, Corinne O. Mills and Blair M. Mills, both of Hedgesville and several nieces and nephews. I
n addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years Helen Jane Eppinger Younker on August 19, 2018; one daughter, Shelia G. Younker and one brother, Fred “Freddie” Younker.
Funeral services were conducted at 1 p.m. on Sunday, February 14, 2021 at Helsley-Johnson Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 95 Union Street, Berkeley Springs, WV, where the family received friends from 10 a.m. -1 p.m. Rev. Lynn Hiles officiated. Burial was in Parkhead Cemetery in Big Pool, Md.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Junior’s memory may be made to Hospice of the Panhandle, 330 Hospice Lane, Kearneysville, WV 25430 or to Senior Life Services of Morgan County, 106 Sand Mine Road, Berkeley Springs, WV 25411.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.helsleyjohnsonfh.com.
