Tjode L. Young, 83

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Tjode Lee (Barnes) Young, 83, of Chatham, formerly of Hillsboro, died on Monday, July 26, 2021, at her home with her family by her side. She fought a hard battle with cancer and was considered cancer free. Ironically, the radiation treatments took her life.

Per her wishes, cremation rites were accorded and there will be no formal services. Hough and Sons Funeral Home in Hillsboro is assisting the family.

Mrs. Young was born April 4, 1938, to Bill and Leona (Nantkes) Barnes. She married Kenneth R. Young on Dec. 26, 1957, in Holly Springs, MS, and he preceded her in death. 

She graduated from Hillsboro High School with the class of 1956, and went to modeling school before attending the University of Illinois in Champaign. She was a member of the Delta Gamma Sorority.

Mrs. Young continued her education and became a licensed hair dresser. She owned and operated her own shop, “Talk of the Town,” in Litchfield during the 70s and 80s. She was also a gifted seamstress, making many of her grandchildren’s clothing and nursery bedding, which turned into “The Stork Shop,” a custom made nursery bedding business with her daughter. She worked for and retired from the Illinois Secretary of State. 

She was a member of the Butler Presbyterian Church and the Hillsboro Moose Lodge. She loved her children and St. Louis Cardinal baseball and U of I basketball. Though her strength had diminished over the years, she was superwoman when she held one of her grandbabies.

Mrs. Young is survived by her children, Kenny (Sandy) Young, Jr. of Mt. Olive and Tracy (Bill) Cooley of Chatham; ten grandchildren, Kenny (Stephanie) Young III, Dana (Lars) Romang and Sammi (Alex Lovdahl) Shannon, all of Springfield, Nicole (Seth) Baker of Glen Burnie, MD, TJ (Maria) Green of Pickens, SC, Britney (Clay) Murphy, Ashley (Joe) Webb, Blake (Chelsea Lapolice) Shannon and Kevin M. (Marrissa) Young, all of Litchfield, and Taylor Cooley of Chatham; 18 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Arlene Barnes of Sheboygan, WI; nieces, Polly Barnes and Barb Walker, both of Sheboygan, WI, and MaryBeth Barnes of Springfield; nephews, Steve Barnes of Hillsboro and Doug Young of Rusk, TX; and companion and close friend, Bruce Holcomb of Hillsboro.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; son, Kevin L. Young on Jan. 16, 2021; brother, Bill Barnes, Jr.; brother and sister-in-law, Roger and Mary Barnes; and nephew, Todd Barnes.

Online condolences to the family may be left at www.houghfuneralhome.com.