York, Melvin 1938-2007

YORK, MORROW, OSLAND, MCGRIFF, COFFMAN, KEENAN, MARVIN

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 5/31/2011 at 11:18:32

The Grinnell-Herald Register; Dec. 6, 2007

MELVIN YORK

Melvin York, 69, of Grinnell died Sunday, Dec. 2, 2007, at Grinnell Regional Medical Center under the care of Grinnell Regional Hospice.

A funeral service was held Wednesday, Dec. 5, at Smith Funeral Home with Diane Eberhart, deacon of Grinnell United Methodist Church, officiating. Music was by Kathy O'Connor, pianist, and Merle Doty, Mark Hendrickson, Bob Toney and Dave VanderLinden, vocalists. Casket bearers were Ron Durr, Fred Johnson, Jerry Keenan, Ron McKeag, Larry Reams and Russ Sadler. A flag presentation was conducted by the Grinnell Veterans Ceremonial Unit. Burial was in Sheridan Cemetery, rural Grinnell. Memorials may be sent to the Melvin York Memorial Fund in care of Smith Funeral Home. On-line condolences may be sent to the family at www.smithfh.com.

He was born Sept. 1, 1938, in Grinnell to Hollie and Mamie Morrow York. He was raised in Grinnell and was a graduate of Grinnell High School. He then served in the United States Navy on the USS San Diego and the USS Bradford. On Aug. 12, 1966, he was united in marriage with Barbara Osland at the Chester Church, rural Grinnell. They resided in Grinnell and he was employed with VanWechel Motors and All-Star Ford, later becoming a partner and office manager with Tiger Ford. He retired in January 2001.

He was past president and treasurer of the Grinnell Eagles Lodge and a member of the Grinnell Parks and Recreation Commission, the Grinnell Elks Lodge and the Grinnell Lions Club. He enjoyed coaching fast-pitch softball teams, hunting, NASCAR, the Chicago Bears and collecting guns.

He is survived by one son Brian York of Grinnell; two daughters, Kellie McGriff and Lisa Coffman, both of Grinnell; six grandchildren and one sister, Nora Joanne Keenan of Newton. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, and three brothers, Bernard, Robert Marvin and Melburn York.