Elzy Darrell Younkins

Elzy Darrell Younkins (age 91) of Smethport passed away peacefully with family by his side on February 15, 2025.  He was the son of James “Allison” and Mary “Elizabeth” Younkins of Freeport, PA and was predeceased by brother Jacob “Roy”, sister Rosie (Bill) VanDyke, and an infant son Judd Christopher.

Elzy is survived by his wife of 66 years Sara Ann (Boltz) and their three daughters – Beth Ann of Smethport; Susan (& Patrick) Scarbrough of Boonsboro, MD; and Michele (& Todd) Drake of Ft. Mill, SC, as well as two granddaughters Hailey & Sydney Drake.

After graduating from Freeport High School in 1951, Elzy served in the US Army during the Korean War.  He was stationed at Fort Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska where he repaired cameras and developed a love of both Alaska and photography.  Elzy enjoyed traveling to Alaska again, first as a young man driving the ALCAN Highway with his buddies, then later enjoying both an ocean cruise and RV road-trip with his family after retirement.

After leaving the Army, Elzy worked at Pittsburgh Plate Glass and later graduated from Williamsport Technical Institute (now Penn College).  Being a “jack of all trades,” he started his own lawnmower repair business and also built houses, including two for his family in Cowansville, PA and later Smethport.

In 1961, Elzy began a fulfilling career with the US Dept. of Agriculture’s Stabilization & Conservation Service (ASCS).  Initially working in Armstrong County, he became County Executive Director for McKean and Cameron counties, happily serving local farmers for over 30 years.

Elzy was a 50+ year member of the local Masons McKean Lodge No. 388 as well as a member of the Smethport United Methodist Church where he served as a trustee.  He had a life-long love of antique cars and enjoyed collecting and “bringing too much stuff home” from auctions and flea markets.

Known as “Grampy” to his granddaughters (as well as grand-dogs, horses, and other family pets), Elzy was always good for a helping hand (and scratch behind the ears).  He was also an avid traveler, taking his young family on cross-country trips; visiting his grown children in the Washington, DC area; spending Memorial Day holidays in the Outer Banks with his granddaughters; and enjoying many ocean cruises abroad.

First and foremost, Elzy was a devoted and loving husband and father.  He gave the utmost while taking care of his family and instilled a work ethic and conscientiousness in his children.  His love and kindheartedness remained throughout a long battle with dementia and sustains his family still.

Family and friends are invited to visitation at the Union First Presbyterian Church of Cowansville, PA on Saturday, February 22 beginning at 11AM with a Funeral Service at 2PM, followed by burial at Worthington Presbyterian Cemetery.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of  the Snyder-Crissman Funeral Home in Cowansville, Pa.  Donations in Elzy’s memory may be made to the Union First Presbyterian Church, 824 E. Brady Rd., Cowansville, PA  16218 or to the McKean County SPCA, 80 Glenwood Ave., PO Box 113, Bradford, PA  16701.

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