John Clement Young, 77, of Brookfield, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on July 27, 2025, in Milwaukee, surrounded by his beloved family.
Born on November 15, 1947, in Shelby, Ohio, John lived a life rooted in faith, service, and deep devotion to those around him. A devout Roman Catholic, he graduated from The Josephinum Seminary in Ohio and Divine Word College, later earning advanced degrees from Ohio University and the University of Cincinnati.
John’s career spanned decades in labor relations and human resources. His career took him to live in Ohio, Texas, Illinois, Wisconsin and quite a bit of travel mixed in. “Big John” was hard to miss and even harder not to love so he collected friends everywhere he went.
However, his heart was always in service to others. He was a lifelong volunteer who gave freely of his time and talents to hospitals, free clinics, and churches—especially where he could use his flawless Spanish to help underserved communities. One of the great honors of his life was serving as a Peace Corps volunteer in Pozo Azul, Costa Rica. The families he met there, and the friendships he formed with his fellow Peace Corps volunteers, held a sacred place in his heart for the rest of his life.
John is survived by his devoted wife of almost 5 decades, Julieta Young (nee Zamora); his children Rene Romano (Jason), Nicole Scully (John), and Austin Young (Lilia); and his cherished grandchildren Nick Romano, Jack, Nora, Sarah, and Thomas Scully. He also leaves behind his brothers Ken (Marilyn) Young and Tim (Jo) Young; brother-in-law Rick Gosser; and many beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins. His Costa Rican sisters and brother in-law, Emilia Zamora (Eduardo), Fernando Zamora, Ana Zamora, along with many friends and family in John’s second home of Costa Rica, who will cherish the decades of memories together.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Dick and Nellie Young, and his sisters, Judy McClurg and Jeanne Gosser.
John was a man of great warmth and humor, known for his infectious laugh, signature sayings, and unwavering authenticity. He had a deep love for the Cincinnati Bengals and Reds, black-and-white Westerns, a good scotch and ice cream. But his greatest joy was always time spent with family, where his kindness, guidance, and joyful spirit left an indelible mark.
A Catholic Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, August 23, 2025 at 11 am (PLEASE NOTE THE EXACT DATE) at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, 5741 State Route 61 Shelby, Ohio with Msgr. Dennis Metzger, John’s cousin, celebrating. Calling hours will be at the church, one hour prior to Mass, from 10-11 am. Burial will be in the church cemetery with a reception to follow. All who knew and loved John are welcome to attend and celebrate his remarkable life. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Lake Area Free Clinic in John’s name www.lakeareafreeclinic.org or to a charity of your choice.
Care for John and his family is being provided by the Penwell Funeral Home in Shelby. Condolences may be left on Jon’s obituary on the funeral home’s website (PenwellFuneralHome.com) or their Facebook page (Facebook.com/PenwellFuneralHome).
John Clement Young lived with purpose, compassion, and an open heart. His legacy is one of faith, service, laughter, and love—and it lives on in everyone who was blessed to know him and to know that amazing laugh.