Babetta K. “Babs: Young, 79, of Columbia City, died at 12:17 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2015, at her home surrounded by her family.

She was born April 6, 1936, in Colorado Springs, Colo., a daughter of Anthony and Ruth M. (Whitesell) DeParis. As a young girl, her family moved to Fort Wayne. She completed her education at Central Catholic High School.

In October 1956 she married Ronald Leroy Young. They made their home in Fort Wayne until 1970 when they moved to a farm west of Columbia City. Mr. Young died in August 1971.

An avid reader, lover of founding history and a great student of the political process; she was a woman of multiple homemaking skills but devoted to the raising of patriotic and devout children.

She was a member of Tri Lakes Baptist Church.

Surviving relatives include 11 children: Sabrina Myers, Columbia City; Ronald Leroy Young, Columbia City; Monica Miller, Decatur; Joseph Young, Fort Wayne; Angela Lash, Claysville, Pa.; Rebecca DeParis, Tampa, Fla,; John Young, Ossian; Luke Young, Columbia City; Mario Young, Columbia City; Patricia Young, Fort Wayne; Naomi Young, Manhatten Beach Calif.; 23 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and a half-sister: Kathleen Howard, Milwaukee Wis.

She was preceded in death by her parents and stepfather: Hollis P. Howard; her husband; a son: Anthony Young; a grandson: Cody Porter; and three brothers: Raymond Richard Howard, Garth Edward Howard and Gerald Barry Howard.

The funeral service will be held at noon Saturday, Nov. 28, at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City with visitation after 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 28, at the funeral home. The burial will be in Greenhill Cemetery.