Royal F. Young

Royal F. Young, age 86, of Marshalltown, Iowa passed away on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at Iowa River Hospice Home in Marshalltown. His lovely wife Janice was by his side.

Born Royal Young on August 30, 1938, to Harris and Elizabeth (French) Young in Marshalltown, IA. He attended Rogers Elementary School and Marshalltown High School, graduating in the Class of 1956. Royal worked at his father’s feed store doing everything including deliveries. He continued his education at Iowa State University and Auburn University to earn his Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Administration.

Royal first joined the Air Force Reserves and continued into the United States Air Force, he was a heavy machine operator and military police in Verdon, France (’60-’61). Upon his return home, he managed several farms. In 1966, Royal started farming crops, raising cattle, and also in the same year, he met a lovely young lady named Paula Fisher at an autocross event. They shared a passion for cars especially corvettes and driving fast! In January of 1966, Royal was united in marriage with Paula Jean Fisher in Marshalltown. They made their home on Mormon Ridge, raising cattle, crops and horses. Royal and Paula were blessed with two children and shared 48 years together until she passed away.

After meeting at the 1956 Marshalltown High School reunion in 2014 and realizing that they really enjoyed their time together. Royal was united in marriage with Janice Warren in January 2015 in Mesa, Arizona. Royal was a member of Bangor Liberty Friends Church, Rotary, Elks Lodge, Corvette Club of Iowa, All Masonic Bodies, Shrine Tin Lizzie Patrol, Farm Bureau, Iowa and American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers. Royal loved animals, farming, and the outdoors where he would enjoy hunting, fishing, tearing out trees and running heavy equipment. He loved his family dearly, joining his friends in a card game, and getting together with his Marshalltown coffee club while discussing the latest things going on everywhere. Taking a break from work he enjoyed his diet Mountain Dew and a salted nut roll. He loved taking friends, family, and his little buddy canine friend, Tilly, riding through the timber trails and basking in the work that he and his son accomplished. He also had a passion of spraying thistles and tearing out honey locust and dead trees. Upon retiring, he really enjoyed going to Mesa, Arizona and meeting up with Iowa friends and family at his southern home and entertaining whether it was playing cards, site seeing, road trips, or eating out. He thoroughly enjoyed watching his granddaughters in sporting events and especially showing their livestock in the county and state fair levels. If it wasn’t for Ashlen and her fondness of pigs, pigs wouldn’t have been allowed on his farm. On any given day, Royal could be found relaxing in his easy chair watching auto racing, especially RDTV!!!

Royal was preceded in death by his parents, Harris and Elizabeth; his first wife, Paula; daughter, Lisa Young; and sister, Lucina Young.

He is survived by his wife, Janice; son, Greg Young; grandchildren, Ashlen (Evan) Engle, Addie Young and Ava Young; his sister, Louisa Young; and nephews, Mark and Erik Holmburg. Royal is also survived by his bonus family: 3 daughters, 2 sons-in-law, 7 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.

Per Royal and his family’s wishes, cremation rites will be accorded. A memorial service is scheduled for April 23, 2025, starting at 12 P.M. at Mitchell Family Funeral Home of Marshalltown. Family and friends are cordially invited to attend a visitation 2 hours prior to the service, also at the funeral home. Royal will be laid to rest at Bangor Liberty Friends Cemetery. Memorials may be made in Royal’s name to Iowa River Hospice, 4-H through Marshall County ISU Extension and the House of Compassion of Marshalltown. Please join the family for food and fellowship following the memorial service. Mitchell Family Funeral Home has been entrusted with the care of Royal and his family. For more information or to send a condolence, please visit www.mitchellfh.com or call 641-844-1234.