John Joseph York

John was born in Grand Rapids, MI, on March 28, 1926. He deeply loved his family, his Lord and Savior and his country. John served his country in the submarine service during WWII.

He will be forever loved and missed by his wife Joyce and his children John Mary York of MI, David Betty York of MI, Elizabeth Royce of CA, and Joseph Kimberly York of MI. John also leaves his precious grandchildren, Angela York, Tami Bill White, Johnny Linda York, Danny York, Sarah Mark Fisher, Katherine Robert Mitus, Heather Royce, Gavin Plooster, Adam York, Jacob York and Jodi York. Grandpa will also be missed by his four great grandchildren, Cassandra and Jessica York, and Alorie and Gwen Fisher. John is survived by his brother Adolph Marian York and his sister Teresa Muste, his brother-in-law Kenneth Morgan and his sister-in-law Patricia Stanley Johnston. He was preceded in death by his mother Margaret and his father John Jacob York, his sisters Rosalie and Mary and brother Marshall. He is also survived by a dear friend that helped with his care, Debra Grooters, and many dear nieces, nephews and so many special friends.

John attended the University of Wisconsin, studying engineering and continued with home courses. John decided on “tool and die” and was well known for his vision and technical competence. His expertise was supervising the building of new industrial facilities and serving as vice-president after completion. John was an extraordinary man in so many ways. He always had a project and the one he was most proud of was the building of his thirty-seven foot steel ketch. It was a labor of love and the family has many wonderful memories of sailing aboard the “Windward.” John’s projects became more difficult after he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s but he never stopped trying. He never complained, he just accepted. Every time he heard on the news about the stem cell research, he would say that he knew he would walk the beach one more time. That wasn’t meant to be but we know he is walking the streets of Heaven.

A time for relatives and friends to visit with John’s family will be held from 2-4 & 7-9 pm Wednesday, at the Cook Funeral Home in Jenison, 1889 Baldwin St. Funeral services will be held 11 am Thursday at the Cook Funeral Home.

The family welcomes entries to their Memory Book online at www.cookfuneralservices.com.

In honor of John, contributions may be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation.

Visitation December 19, 2007 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM Cook Funeral & Cremation Services - Jenison Chapel 1889 Baldwin Jenison, MI (616) 457-9040

Funeral Service December 20, 2007 11:00 AM Cook Funeral & Cremation Services - Jenison Chapel 1889 Baldwin Jenison, MI (616) 457-9040

Interment Thursday December 20 2007 Grandville Cemetery - Grandville 3570 Prairie Street SW Grandville, MI (616) 530-4985

Funeral Home Service Cook Funeral & Cremation Services - Jenison Chapel 1889 Baldwin St. Jenison, MI (616) 457-9040