Donald John Youkers

YOUKERS, Donald John Sr.

of Bellevue, went to be at home with the Lord at age 94 on February 10, 2023. Don loved his family and the Lord.

At age 14, he put on magic shows in his family’s rec room on the North Side of Pittsburgh as send-off parties for the WW II soldiers.  He was also part of a send-off drum corp that marched soldiers to the downtown bridge before boarding the trains. In his teens, he became one of the original members of IBM/International Brotherhood of Magicians’ first junior ring. As a member of IBM for over 25 years, he was part of an elite group called the Order of Merlin. His stage name was Don Joy. He not only performed illusions he also built them with his father. 

Don attended Allegheny Vocational High School where he studied electrical. 

He was honored to serve our country in the Air Force as an Airman First Class during the Korean War and was considered a master carpenter. He received the National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. Afterwards, as a gifted carpenter, he built many houses with his father then later became the head carpenter at Gulf Oil Corporation’s headquarters for 32 years. He retired early when Chevron bought Gulf and became the custodian/maintenance man for Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church of Avalon where he faithfully attended and served. 

He had a wonderful sense of humor and was always entertaining relatives at family functions. Family was extremely important to him. Don was a hard worker and a skilled craftsman. Even during his last year, he was helping others configure ways to do home projects.  Don dated Betty for 4 years and were married for 71 years, an incredible 75-year relationship. One of their favorite pastimes was jitterbug dancing. He lived to be the oldest Youkers (blood relative) in the past 200 years.

Don is predeceased by his parents Jacob and Mabel Youkers, siblings Jean Jackson and Jacob Youkers. 

He is survived by his son Donald Youkers Jr (Carol) and daughters Barbara Nugent (Larry) & Shirley Smith (Rick Webb – fiancé). Grandchildren John, Chris (Tonia), John (Amber), David, Steven (Julie), Raymond (Kathleen), Vincent (Elena), Timothy, Crystal, Katelyn, and Courtney. Great-Grandchildren Mila, Christopher, and Elena.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Don’s honor to the Disabled Vets at dav.org. Thank you.

Friends and family received WEDNESDAY 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 at the MCDONALD-LINN Funeral Services, LLC, 529 California Avenue, Pittsburgh, 15202. Funeral Service will be held THURSDAY at 10 a.m. at BETHLEHEM LUTHERAN CHURCH, 1719 Mt. Royal Blvd., Glenshaw, 15116. 

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