Clifford “John’’ York, 60, of Lebanon, died Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, at Mercy Hospital Lebanon, and his wife Diana Lynn York, 66, of Lebanon, died Friday, Nov. 13, 2020, at Boone County Health Care Center in Columbia, both of COVID-19 complications.
John was born Feb. 5, 1960, in Waynesville, Mo. to Milford and Gertrude Z. McKinnon York. On July 3, 1981, he married Diana Bench. He was preceded in death by his parents; and an aunt and uncle, Junie and Tommy Avery. He was born and raised in Pulaski County and graduated from Waynesville High School. After he and Diana were married, they made their home in Lebanon, and lovingly raised their daughters. John worked at various occupations through the years, including construction work, helping at Crosslines Ministry, and at Landau Boats. He was a “jack of all trades’’ kind of guy.
Diana was born Sept. 7, 1954, in Richland, Mo. to Rev. James Bench and Kathleen Hammock Bench, who preceded her in death. On July 5, 1981, she married Clifford John York. She was raised in the Richland area and graduated from Richland High School. Diana was a devoted homemaker to her husband a loving mother to her daughters. She became an ordained minister and was the author of a published book entitled, Miracles Now. Diana followed the Pentecostal faith and was a minster.
They are survived by two daughters, Leah Barlow of Lebanon, and Melissa Smith and her husband Scott of Columbia; two grandchildren, Terry and Jayden; John’s two brothers, Rick York of Camdenton, and Rex York and his wife Michelle of South Carolina; Diana’s brother, Jimmy Bench and his wife Bobbie of Richland; and her two sisters, Teresa Williams and her husband David of Richland and Gail Knight of Lebanon; several nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
Funeral services for Clifford “John’’ York and Diana Lynn York will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, at the Holman-Howe Funeral Home in Lebanon with Pastor Steve Reeves and the Rev. James McCoy officiating. Burial will be in Lewis Cemetery in Richland, under the direction of Holman-Howe Funeral Home of Lebanon. Visitation will be 10-11 a.m. Saturday in the funeral home. A memorial has been established and contributions may be made through the funeral home. For more information or to view or sign the online memorial visit www.holmanhowe.com.
