Joseph Lester York

Joseph Lester York passed peacefully from this life on May 1, 2017 at home surrounded by his family. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Bonnie Cantwell York; his five children: Twyla (Michael) Walter of Tennessee, Arlene (Joseph) Anweiler of Indiana, Ronald (Marcia) York of Indiana, Donald York of Illinois, Richard (Diane) York of Illinois; nine grandchildren, fifteen great grandchildren, and one sister, Linda (Steve) Nales of Illinois.

He was born in rural Lawrence County Illinois, on May 29, 1929, the son of Charles and Madge York. He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers: Charles “J.R.”, Carl, Gene and Paul; and four sisters: Ruth, Mary, Maxine and Judy.

Joe and Bonnie were married on September 20, 1949 and moved to northern Indiana where he worked for Inland Steel before retiring with 40 years of service. After retiring from Inland, he drove a truck for a few years before being ordained into the Christian Church ministry and moving to Salt Springs, Florida. He ministered at the Salt Springs Christian Church for five years before moving to Parkersburg, Illinois and ministering to the Parkersburg Christian Church for nine years.

He was a member of the First Christian Church at West Salem, who lived his beliefs; which included: being honest to a fault, perfection was a necessity (especially where building was concerned!) and his passion to serve two special groups of people: the elderly and young people. Joe loved to sing, even though he couldn’t carry a tune in a bucket.

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 3, 2017 from 5 PM to 7 PM at the First Christian Church in West Salem, IL. The funeral will be held at 10 AM on Thursday, May 4, 2017 at the church. Entombment will take place on Friday, May 5, 2017 at 1 PM at Chapel Lawn Memorial Park in Schererville, Indiana.

In lieu of flowers, donations are encouraged to CTN Ministries, Eldon Potts, Director, PO BOX 1092, Joplin, Missouri 64802-1092. Envelopes will be provided at the visitation and funeral services.

Online condolences and fond memories may be shared with the family at www.ingramfh.net.

Ingram Funeral Home of West Salem is honored to be entrusted with the arrangements.