Edwin York

Edwin L. York Edwin LeRoy York of Neodesha, KS, died Wednesday, February 11, 2009, at the Golden Living Center. He was 84. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Monday, February 23, 2009, at the First Church of God under the direction of Penwell-Gabel Loran Fawcett Chapel. Pastor Leslie Griffith will officiate. Interment will be in Neodesha Cemetery. Mr. York will lie in state on Friday, February 20, 2009 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. The family will receive friends Sunday, Feb. 22, from 1-5 p.m. at the funeral home. The son of Edgar O. and Vertia M. Hicks York, he was born June 7, 1924, at Oxbow Bend in rural Wilson County, KS. He graduated from Neodesha High School in 1942. Mr. York served with the Army Corp of Engineers in the 170th Combat Battalion during WWII in the Asiatic Pacific Theater. During his service, he attained the rank of Staff Sergeant and received the Bronze Service Arrowhead, the Asiatic-Pacific Service Medal, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with two Bronze Stars, the WWII Victory Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. He was honorably discharged in February of 1945. On April 7, 1950, he was united in marriage to Betty L. Williams in Independence, KS. They made their home in rural Neodesha where he farmed and raised cattle with his brother Virgil until 1997 when health issues forced his retirement. Mrs. York preceded him in death July 4, 2003. Edwin was an active member of the First Church of God. He was a community servant, serving as a member of the USD 461 Building Evaluation Committee and the Wilson County Land Re-evaluation Advisory Committee. He was a member of the ASCS board of directors for three years, the Wilson County Soil Conservation board of directors for 12 years and was a director of the Cedar Creek Watershed for eight years. He also was a Farm Bureau state delegate and policy committee member and was a charter member of the Neodesha Co-op where he served as board member for 12 years and as chairman for eight years. He served as 4-H club leader and project leader for 12 years and was on the organizational committee of Rural Water District 4. He served Water District Board of Directors for 27 years and also found time to serve as a volunteer fireman for 15 years. He was a life member of VFW Post 5962 and a member of Gideons International. Survivors include one son, Ronald L. York of Scottsdale, AZ; one daughter, Anita K. Daniel of Emporia, KS; two brothers, Virgil York of Thayer, KS, and Wayne York of Neodesha, KS; one sister, Jewel York Smalley of Arvada, CO; three grandchildren, Brandon L. York and Dana N. York of Scottsdale, AZ, and Jeremy Osgood of Denver, CO. In addition to his wife, he is preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Cecil; and one sister Elaine York. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Church of God and may be left at the funeral home.