Frank Youngquist passed away on September 17, 2022. Memorial visitation will be Friday October 14, 2022 from 4:00pm-7:00pm at Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home Rock Island. A second visitation will be held Saturday October 15, 2022 at 12:00 -1:00 pm at the Cameron Christian Church, Cameron, IL. Funeral services will be Saturday October 15, 2022 at 1:00 pm, which will also be livestreamed at https://vimeo.com/752747108, with burial immediately following at Silent Home Cemetery in Cameron, IL. Memorial donations may be made to Honor Flight of the Quad Cities https://honorflightqc.org//, Tunnel to Towers Foundation https://t2t.org// and The Frank Youngquist Memorial Fund, P.O Box 53, Milan, IL 61264
Frank Youngquist was born on May 20, 1939 in Galesburg, Illinois to the parents of Elmer and Lois Youngquist. He attended school in Cameron, IL and graduated from Galesburg High School (GHS). In high school he was a member of the basketball team that appeared in three consecutive state tournaments. He was later inducted into the Galesburg High School Basketball Hall of Fame. He also played the trombone in the band and orchestra at GHS. He attended Monmouth College and Western Illinois University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science, a Masters Degree and Specialist Degree in Education Administration.
While in college he started taking flying lessons and after obtaining his pilot’s license he owned his own small airplane and continued to enjoy flying throughout his whole life. He was a member of the 123rd Field Artillery from 1957-1961 in the Illinois National Guard. During this time he played softball for Cameron, Higgins Dairy and Italian Village. He also played semi-pro baseball for the Monmouth Maple Leafs. In Rock Island he played for the Harrelson softball team and Rock Island Sport Shop.
After teaching one year at Erie High School he married Carol Wolever and moved to Rock Island in 1962. He taught at Rock Island High School (RIHS) and coached basketball, baseball and softball. He also started a SADD program (Students Against Drunk Driving) at RIHS and Alleman High School. He retired in 2000 after 38 years. Frank & Carol spent many years traveling to Florida; Satellite Beach and Disney World were two of his favorite places to visit with his family and close relatives. They also loved sharing laughs and spending time with their local potluck group. He and Carol were very active in the community, politics and their local school district.
Besides flying, he enjoyed working on the family farm whenever possible. He owned a World War II Willy’s Jeep and enjoyed taking it to air shows, parades and giving his grandchildren rides. He was President of the Eighth Air Force 466th Bomber Group that his brother-in-law flew in during World War II. He was an active member of the Eighth Air Force Historical Society, a member of the Quad City Airmen, the Military Vehicle Preservation Association, the Quad City Antique Car Club, Charter member of the Air and Space Smithsonian and a member of the U.S. Air Force Museum Foundation.
Frank was the South Rock Island Township Supervisor for 24 years and was active in the County Township Association. He was also a Republican Precinct Committeeman for 35 years. In 2016 he wrote a fictional novel, Beyond the Blue, a story that takes place in Galesburg, IL.
After the death of his wife Carol, he later married Barbara Mellott in 1996. Together they flew to many places throughout the world, including China and Hawaii; also including frequent visits to see their family and grandkids across the U.S. He and Barbara were big supporters of the Honor Flight of the Quad Cities, the Wounded Warrior Project, and the United States military. Frank was a pillar in the community and involved in many local and national charities. He was also an elder at Broadway Church.
Above all else, Frank loved his family. He was happiest when his kids were all home (especially at Christmas) and with his extended family on the farm in Cameron, IL where he grew up. Nothing made him happier than when he and Barb could be with any (all) of their 12-grandchildren/great grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife Barbara, daughter Polly (husband Rick) Northville, MI, daughter Betsy (husband Doug) Ames, IA, son Lt Col Marcus Youngquist (wife Christi) Charleston, SC, daughter Chris (husband Bill) Scottsdale, AZ and son Rod (wife Laurie) Ladera Ranch, CA, brother Gene Youngquist, Grandchildren: Caroline, Cameron, Ava, Peyton, Madeline, Michelle, Matthew, Thomas, Savannah and Chase, Great Grandchildren: Conor and Riley.
Frank is preceded in death by his parents and sisters Marian, Barbara and Janice.
Online condolences may be left for the family at wheelanpressly.com.
