Karen Ertis Young St. Arbor
Karen Ertis Young St. Arbor, 83, of Jonesboro, died Wednesday, March 1, 2023, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau on Hospice Care.
She was born on March 16, 1939, in Rochelle, the daughter of Lowell Auburn and Juanita Erma Wood Young.
She is survived by her four sons, Donald Keith (Deborah) St. Arbor of Arlington, Ky., Douglas Mark (Marla) St. Arbor of Jonesboro, David Kevin (Diane) St. Arbor of Jonesboro and Dale Scott St. Arbor of Cairo; 13 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; five siblings, Larry (Ann) Young of California, Nancy Young of Anna, Kent (Melinda) Young of Anna, Woody (Robbie) Young of Kiln, Miss., and Randy (Tonya) Young of Marion; her favorite uncle, Byford Wood of Breese; many nieces and nephews; relatives and close friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Dana Lowell St. Arbor; favorite aunt Ertis Young; and her former husband, Donald Keith St. Arbor.
She graduated from Anna-Jonesboro Community High School with the class of 1957. She graduated from Southern Illinois University Carbondale with the class of 1963, and then attended Wayne State University in Michigan, graduating with her bachelor’s degree in education. Later she received her master’s degree in library science from Murray State University in Murray, Ky.
She worked as the librarian for the school district in Carlisle, Ky., for many years. After retiring from teaching she worked for Lowell Kent Young Trucking and Raymond Newell’s Trucking Company. She maintained log books and records for the drivers, as well as many other duties.
She was a member of the Eastern Star for many years. She enjoyed traveling, playing bingo and going to the casino. She loved watching westerns and murder dramas. Her favorite football team was the Green Bay Packers. She was an avid reader until she lost her sight, but continued her love for reading with audio books.
She was a member of the Christian Church of Anna for over 60 years. Upon returning to Southern Illinois, she attended Lockard Chapel and Kornthal Church. She dearly cherished her time with all her family. She will be deeply missed by everyone who knew and loved her.
She is with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and Holy Spirit. Her body was donated to science to help further educate future young minds; it was her hope that in doing so, they will learn about diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer.
Private memorial services will be planned at a later date.
Memorials can be made to the American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society, the Lutheran Home or Hospice Care of Cape Girardeau. Envelopes will be available for memorials at Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home.
To view the obituary and to leave online condolences for the family, visit www.rendlemanhilemanfh.com.
Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Jonesboro is in charge of arrangements.