David York

On July 12th, 2024, it came to pass that David Robert York reached the end of his life. A man of considerable pride and little patience for fools, Dave left us as he lived, on his own terms.  Born the second of ten children to Vernon and Elizabeth (Betty), Dave presided over the extended family providing wisdom, support, and just the right amount of tough love to whomever needed it, even if they weren’t always aware they needed it. He called everything as he saw it, always looking for the right answer.

Dave joined the Marine Corps in an effort to escape the Midwest, but returned after his service was concluded. He left a single man and returned with his first wife and daughter in tow and after attending college, settled down as an English teacher at Wood River High School where he taught thousands of students over the years.

While in the Marine Corps, he developed a love for Judo and achieved the rank of Yodan (4th degree black belt). With dojos in Alton, Wood River, Roxana and Granite City, some of his happiest time was spent on the judo mat extolling the merits of a disciplined life and how to find that discipline through martial arts.

When not in the classroom or the dojo, he loved the outdoors and spent a lot of time camping and fishing. His eldest daughter Michelle still feels he broke a few child labor laws as she paddled the canoe while he sat in the front and fished; but any day spent on the water is a good day, regardless of whether you’re the one doing the work or not. He also loved blackberries in any form and as a child he often coerced his siblings to venture into the thistles to pick berries with him so their mom could make cobbler and jelly.

He was predeceased by his parents and three of his siblings, Vernon, Melinda and Celeste. He lost his beloved second wife, Connie, a few years ago and his daughter, Cheryl, who died much too young.

His surviving daughters Michelle, Melissa and Denise, son Steven, their spouses John, Ben, Stuart and Kerrilee, and grandchildren Chandler, Grace, Taylor, Sarah, Colin and Isabella will miss his oversized presence dearly. He is also survived by siblings Victoria, Amy, Lisa, Matthew, Maria, Eric and their families. He meant a lot to all of us.

A service is planned for August 31st from 2-4pm at Pitchford Funeral Home.