Patrick John Youell

BELVIDERE - Patrick John Youell passed away peacefully in his sleep on November 6, 2024. Patrick was the fourth child of Raymond and Helen Youell, and had five brothers and two sisters. Patrick grew up just one hillside away from the beautiful woods and endless trails of Palos Hills, IL. He spent his childhood exploring creeks and ravines with his siblings and friends, and horseback riding with his best friend, David Daw. As soon as Patrick was old enough to make the mile walk, he would steal away to nearby Green Acres Riding Stables to check out the horses and barns. As soon as he could, Patrick got a job at Green Acres taking care of the horses and managing livery rides. At the young age of fourteen, Patrick would lead groups of up to twenty people on horseback rides through the Forest Preserves.

After Patrick finished high school, he and his other best friend, Douglas Falkner, who also worked at Green Acres and other stables with Patrick, headed up to Wisconsin to work with American Saddlebred show horses. In addition to caring for these beautiful equine champions, Pat and Doug learned to train them to move elegantly through Saddlebred three- and five-gaits, and in cart driving. They traveled the country transporting horses and managing horses at American Saddlebred Championship Horse Shows. They were true cowboys and shared ownership of a horse named Joe, who was trained as a designated driver to the local watering holes. Patrick even ventured into live bull riding, which he did several times, fortunately never getting hurt.

Because horses never sleep in or observe holidays, Patrick eventually opted for weekday work and spent the bulk of his career at the Belvidere Chrysler Plant where he managed hazardous materials and environmental programs, for which he won awards for waste reduction and recycling. His work took him across the immense plant and he loved talking about the industrial processes he observed and supported, especially the robotics. Though Patrick was a loner, he drew in many good friends there.

For the last twelve years of his life, Patrick lived at Whispering Pines Apartments in Belvidere, IL which has several acres of fields, pine trees, woods, and a barn. Pat always lived in or near barns. The grounds include a social space for fires and gatherings he called "the tables" where he would join his neighbor friends regularly. Patrick always talked about how hard his friends worked on their massive garden and how delicious the food they made was. He was very blessed to have this loving community of friends who shared good times and helped each other through the tough times.

Patrick enjoyed music and reading newspapers from front to back. He loved his family dearly and enjoyed sending unique and thoughtful gifts to his mother and sisters. He was so very proud of his tough, hard-working father and his extraordinary mother, loved being with all his seven siblings, and adored his many nieces and nephews. Patrick was our cool, cosmic cowboy who lived his own way, and then rode off into the sunset on the other side.

May your soul fare well, Patrick. You will always be in our hearts, and will always be remembered and missed.

He is survived by his mother, Helen Youell, six siblings, Raymond (Lori) Youell, Mark (Grace) Youell, Mary Ann Youell, Montgomery (Patricia) Youell, Matthew (Rosemary) Youell and Delia Karling; and numerous nieces & nephews. Patrick was preceded in death by his father; Raymond Youell; and his brother, Daniel Youell.

In lieu of flowers, please consider IL Extension Food Pantry Resources for the Belvidere area, which has been impacted greatly from the Chrysler Plant closing. Please feel free to post your memories and thoughts of Patrick Youell. The Youell Family appreciates your love and condolences.

www.rockfordfunerals.com