HERKIMER -J. Franklin Young, age 81, of North Bellinger St., passed away early Thursday morning, August 2, 2001, in his home. He was born on April 9, 1920, in Norwood, Ohio, son of the late Rhea and Anna Vinison Young. After the unexpected death of his mother in 1935, he moved with his father to Ilion in 1936 and graduated from Ilion High School in 1938. On April 12, 1957, he married Heidy Wetterwald of Dornach, Switzerland, in Ilion. In 1963, they moved to Herkimer coming from Ilion. They had resided at 412 N. Main St. until this last year. Mr. Young was a banker for over 45 years. He began his career with the former Ilion National Bank where he attained the position of cashier. After the merger of Ilion National and Marine Midland Trust Company, he was assigned to the Herkimer office as assistant vice president. In 1969, he joined GFM Machines, Inc., at the Oneida County Airport, where he served as treasurer and director. He retired in 1986 as the Manager of the Norstar (Oneida National) Bank, Frankfort Branch. Mr. Young was deeply involved in volunteer organizations for 40 years, believing that whoever lives on this earth should strive to leave things better than they found them. He was a founder and first campaign co-chair of the Valley United Way (formerly the United Way of Frankfort, Herkimer, Ilion and Mohawk) in 1960 and was treasurer from 1960 to 1987. He was a founder and the first president of the Herkimer County Chamber of Commerce in 1968 and continued for many years as a director. He was also very involved with the General Herkimer Council (Boy Scouts) Stamp Committee, where he served as treasurer and co-chairman. The committee, organized by George Sehring in the early 1970's, initiated the issuance of a postage stamp to honor General Nicholas Herkimer and other patriots who fought at the Battle of Oriskany in 1777. The committee was successful in getting the stamp issued with the first Day Ceremony held at Herkimer County Community College on August 6, 1977, the 200th anniversary of the battle. He was also a past president of the Herkimer Rotary Club and a member of the Folts Homes Board of Directors, where he had served as secretary of the board; he was a past president of the Ilion Conservation Club and of the now-defunct Herkimer County Arts Council. He was a member of Ilion Lodge #591 F & AM, where he was a past Master and had the distinction of being the youngest Master to serve the lodge at the age of 27, a 32nd degree mason with the Valley of Utica AASR and also a member of the Ziyara Shrine AAONMS. He was a member of the American Philatelic Society and treasurer of the American Allvetio Society. A community spirited man, he was a friend to many and will never be forgotten. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Heidy Young; two sons and their wives, Christopher and Janice Young, of Wrentham, MA, and Steven and Mary Lourdes Young, of Portland, OR; five grandchildren, Madeleine and Charlotte, in Massachusetts, and Catherine, Maria and Heidy, in Oregon. He also leaves his stepmother, Ann Young, of Merritt Island, FL; along with a half-sister, Barbara, and a stepbrother, John, both of Florida. A celebration of Frank's life will take place on Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. in the Herkimer Reformed Church, N. Main St., Herkimer. The Rev. Donald Battjes, Pastor, will officiate. A reception will follow the service in the church. Memorial donations may be made to the Valley United Way or the charity of your choice. Funeral arrangements are with Fenner Funeral Home, Inc., Herkimer.