Sarkis “Sharky” Younes, 59, of Galesburg, IL, passed into Eternal Life at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, August 6, 2025.
He was born in Aitou, Lebanon, on May 22, 1966, to Michel and Jamileh (Sous) Younes. He immigrated, with his family, to the United States in August of 1972. He married his beloved wife, Ivete Alwan, on September 7, 1996, in Peoria, IL. Ivete and Sarkis were married for 29 loving and blissful years.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by their three children: Michael, Anthony and Mariana, and sisters Claudette Roden, Youmna Cook (Billy), and Antoinette Bohanan.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Michel and Jamileh (Sous) Younes.
Sarkis was a man who loved life. He lived every day to its fullest and never failed to insist on others to do the same. He spent much of his time traveling to his homeland of Lebanon and his wife’s homeland of Brazil. Sarkis and his wife, Ivete, loved to travel with their three children, spending quality family time at the lake house and always had their door open.
Sarkis was blessed to work for LaGondola for close to 40 years. It didn’t take long before he took the reins in Galesburg as manager and taught his children great work ethic throughout the years. Sarkis, Ivete and the children are loved by all their staff and customers.
Sarkis lived a blessed life. He had a strong faith and taught his family to always honor God. He consistently put others before himself and was always willing to lend a helping hand. He enjoyed sports. He spent many years coaching basketball at his children’s school. He loved to attend sporting events, especially to see the St. Louis Cardinals and the Boston Celtics.
Sarkis was a member of the Itoo Society and Knights of St. Joseph at St. Sharbel Church in Peoria.
A visitation will be held Sunday, August 10, 2025 from 3-6 p.m. followed by the rosary at St. Sharbel Maronite Catholic Church – 2914 West Scenic Drive, Peoria, Illinois 61615. Following another brief visitation on Monday, August 11 at 9 a.m., a funeral mass will be held at St. Sharbel Church at 10 a.m., with Fr. Bechara Awada officiating. Entombment will follow immediately after services at Resurrection Mausoleum – 7519 Allen Road, Peoria, Illinois 61614.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Sarkis Younes’s family to distribute to his beloved churches throughout the world. Please make checks payable to Ivete Younes.
Tributes and condolences may be made to www.wrightandsalmon.com
