Michael Robert Youtz, 52

February 8, 1973 - November 04, 2025

Michael Robert Youtz went to be with his Lord and Savior on November 4, 2025, after brief illness. He was born at Lancaster General Hospital on February 8, 1973, the son of Rose Marie (Hoffmeier) Youtz and Robert Larry Youtz. The Lord blessed Rose and Michael with an extended family, his mom Jeannette Crnkovich, his dad Stephen Crnkovich, and his sister Natasha Crnkovich Pickett, who played a major role in helping Rose raise Michael to become a wonderful, caring, and loving man.

Stephen and Jeannette Crnkovich were instrumental in shepherding Michael in the Catholic faith. Michael expressed joy and happiness in being Catholic. He was baptized on April 14, 1990, by Father Kresslein and was confirmed on November 5, 1990, at St. James Catholic Church in Lititz by Bishop Datillo.

Michael graduated from Warwick High School Intermediate Unit 13 on June 10, 1994. Michael loved school and enjoyed a good relationship with his classmates, teachers, and teacher assistants. During Michael’s senior year in 1993, he started working part-time at Ephrata Area Rehab Services (EARS). He began full-time work in 1994 and worked at EARS until 2004.

Michael transferred to Lighthouse Vocational Services in New Holland, PA in 2004. Michael was conscientious and took pride in his work. He had a good rapport with his supervisors and coworkers at Lighthouse. Michael worked at Lighthouse for 21 years and retired on October 24, 2025.

At age 20 in July 1993, Michael moved into Friendship Community. He resided in the Millersville I home for 28 years. On January 25, 2022, Michael moved to Sweetbriar located in Manheim, another home operated by Friendship Community. Michael experienced living with 2 or 3 housemates in a caring and Christian atmosphere. Many times, Michael would say “Life is good”. Michael thoroughly enjoyed living at his two Friendship Community homes and working at both EARS and Lighthouse. Michael often spoke about the caring staff and housemates at his homes. Michaels family would like to thank all the staff and administration at Friendship, EARS, and Lighthouse for providing Michael with opportunities to reach his full potential in a supportive environment.

Michael enjoyed many activities: listening to country music, especially Garth Brooks and Reba McIntire, participating in Special Olympics bowling with his housemates, Star Trek movies, games and magazines, Star Wars movies and magazines, Superman, Spider-Man, Batman, coloring superheroes, Star Trek and Star Wars coloring books, and being a Boy Scout in Troop 24 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Lancaster where his dad Stephen was the Scoutmaster. Michael achieved the rank of First Class Scout. He also enjoyed sharing Star Trek activities with his dad Stephen, going to Hersheypark every year with the Crnkovich family, going out to restaurants with his mom Rose and friends and family, family holiday dinners at Grammie’s house, activities with housemates at Friendship, visiting family and friends, annual summer vacations at North Wildwood, NJ, shopping for groceries, and walks at Park City.

Michael was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Charles F. and Gertrude M. Hoffmeier, aunt Shirley Hoffmeier, grandparents Joseph and Mary Crnkovich, grandfather Malcolm Stetler and great-grandmother Rose Mello (Nana).

Michael loved it when grandpa Hoffmeier took him on rides on the red tractor and the John Deere lawn tractor. Michael enjoyed grandma’s home cooking. His Aunt Shirley enjoyed taking pictures of him at special events and holidays. Michael was happy that Aunt Shirley assisted his school class each year at Landisville Learning Center and making ceramic crafts to sell at the school’s bazaar.

Michael is survived by his mother, Rose Marie Youtz, his foster parents, Stephen and Jeannette Crnkovich, his sister Natasha Pickett, her husband Andy Pickett, and their three children, John Walter Drum, Emma Rose Drum, and Hannah Kathleen Pickett, grandmother Rose Stetler, his cousins Jerry, Todd, and Troy Cunningham.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, at 11 AM at St. Philip the Apostle Church, 2111 Millersville Pike, Lancaster, PA 17603. The family will receive guests beginning at 10 AM. Interment will be at St. Joseph New Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial contributions in Michael’s name to Friendship Community, 1149 E Oregon Rd, Lititz, PA 17543.