[He] celebrated his 90th birthday by writing a poem about his life.
Donald Younkin as a young man.
Ancestor: Donald John Younkin
Descendant: Richard V.
My grandfather Donald J. Younkin (1894-1990) was a young Kansas school teacher when he somewhat reluctantly was persuaded to join the U.S. Army during World War I.
He became a sergeant instructing in rifle use when the Spanish flu hit his base (Camp Funston at Fort Riley, Kansas).
Donald was a stout, broad-shouldered, athletic man who told me that he only survived the virus that killed millions by heeding the advice of a recovering soldier who warned him not to throw off his covers no matter how hot his fever made him feel.
He lived a long, productive life on his farm with his wife Ellen Quigley -- raised three daughters, learned to play golf very well in his retirement, and celebrated his 90th birthday by writing a poem about his life.