Fern Young Joseph's Obituary
Fern Young Joseph 1915-2017Fern Pauline Young (Russell) Joseph was born June 12, 1915 in Brushy Mound, Macoupin County, Illinois to Emil William Young and Louise Marie Wolters. Fern was the second child of her parents. Fern’s sibling were: Virginia Elnora Young (Bill) DeConcini. (Virginia and Bill DeConcini built a home in Cuyamaca and lived there for several years). Raymond Young, Karl (Ruth) Young, Ann (Annamae) Young (George) Oliver.Fern and her husband Russell Joseph built a home on Apache Drive in Cuyamaca and were active in the Cuyamaca and Julian area. They loved living in Cuyumaca and had a wonderful view of the lake and surrounding area. Russell died in 1970 and Fern remained living in her home until she was 87 years old when she moved into La Mesa Grossmont Gardens Assisted-living. Five months later the big fires burned her home on Apache Drive. A very sad day for all her family who loved her house and her hospitality.Fern was involved in many activities in the area. She served on the board of the Cuyamaca Volunteer Fire Department and the Firebelles. Fern was always willing to help out in any activity: Bingo night, Chili Bake off, craft and rummage sales, etc. She attended Julian Community Methodist Church, and baked many hundrerds of apple pies for the annual Julian Apple Days, church rummage sales, etc. Fern traveled to many countries and cruises with her Julian friends.Fern worked for 23 years in the San Diego City Schools Cafeteria Association as Encanto Elementary School cafeteria manager, area manager overseeing 6 school cafeterias. Fern served as president of the cafeteria managers association. When Russell took early retirement from General Dynamics (30 years), Fern decided to retire and they would move to their Cuyamaca home full-time. They loved it out there. And so did all the children and grandchildren.Ferns hands were always busy crocheting.Fern turned 102 years old this year. On June 26, 2017 at 3:17 pm Fern left this life, much to the sadness of her loving family.Fern and Russell had two children: Kenneth William Joseph, (served on the La Mesa Police Force, until his untimely death at age 44). And her daughter Beverly Marilyn Joseph Sperry, who also traveled several times with the Julian group.8 grandchildren: Garth (Jodie) Sperry (Utah) 40 years with L-3 Communications. Brian (Leigh) Sperry (Utah) 39 years with the U.S. Postal Services PR and Media Dept. Cindy Sperry (Dave) Robertson (Lakeside) 19 years with Coremark. Keith Sperry (Utah) 19 years a national seminar speaker.Carlton (Marianne) Joseph (Murrieta) 39 years in the U.S Federal Forestry Service, Kevin (Annette) Joseph, C0) 35 years in the U.S Federal Forestry Service. Laurie Joseph (Matt) Doidge (Santee) Sharp Hospital. Holly Joseph Young (Lakeside). National City Auto., Co.20 great-grandchildren: Brandon (Ann) Campbell, Cameron (LeeAnn) Campbell, Kyle Campbell, Cooper Campbell, Nicole Robertson, Aja Sperry Mills, Brittany Sperry (Evan) Standley, Tyler Sperry, Landon (Krista) Sperry, Casen (Breezy) Sperry, Parker (Jenni) Sperry, Tanner Sperry. Madeline Sperry.Captain Kenneth Joseph (graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy. Stationed at Camp Pendelton Marine Base), Kyle Joseph. Ashley Joseph, Marissa Joseph (Jason) Martinez, Natalie Joseph RN. Suzanne Joseph (James) Robinson. Brian (Sarah) Young.Step great-grandchildren: Cody, Tianna, April, Nicole, Dylon, Austin.12 great-great-grandchildren: Alakina, Stella, Tage, Zanna and Posey Mills. Anthony and Brooklyn Standley. Kaylee Campbell, Charlotte and Cosie Campbell. Evelyn Robinson. Sunny Sperry.Step great-great-grandchildren: Noah, Joshua.Fern had 8 nieces and nephews: Bill DeConcini, Ron Oliver, Doug Oliver, Karen Young, Michael Young, Susan Young, Carolyn Young, Gary Young.Russell’s nieces and nephews: Ericka Joseph, Cynthia Joseph, Mimi Joseph, Marcus Joseph, Lance Joseph. Janice McDougal, Craig McDougal. Baby girl Joseph. Brian Joseph, Nancy Joseph.Russell’s 1st cousin Merle Clark Platz who is 97 years old and her son Marshal Platz are in attendance today. Please introduce yourself to them. Her husband, Merlin Platz was the Baptist minister who conducted my father Russell’s funeral. Merle’s mother, Emma Mosimann Clark was a sister to Russell’s mother, Alice Mosimann Joseph and our grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great grandmother.
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