Joe York, 78, Elk Mound Township, died June 17, 2023. He was born in Ashland, Wisconsin 26 March 1945, the son of Leonard and Anita (McKay) York. Joe was a veteran who served with the US Army Security Agency for three and a half years in Asmara, Eritrea. After obtaining a degree in Arabic and Middle Eastern languages from the University of Wisconsin - Madison he went on to study for a Master's Degree at the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. On 13 August 1973, he married the former Bonnie Brockway of Seneca, Wisconsin. During his 34-year career with the US Department of Defense, he lived for nearly 23 years in the Middle East and East Africa, including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, South Sudan, Ethiopia and Egypt, while Bonnie worked alongside him as, first, a Defense Department employee and later as an employee of the US Department of State. They lived in various states as well, including Michigan, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Texas and Missouri. Joe is survived by Bonnie and their three children, daughters, Arden (Sara) of Milwaukee, Liz (Jesse) of Elk Mound and son Joseph. He also is survived by his beloved grandchildren, Adrian J. York, Christopher S. Pantoja, and Nora Jo Pantoja of Elk Mound; Joseph P. Rhoades; Jackson D. York and Sophia E. York of Luxemburg; his sister, Faith Kornowski (Dan) of Green Bay; and many nieces and nephews. As per Joe's wishes, there will be no wake or viewing, no funeral or graveside service. He was buried in the Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery near Spooner, Wisconsin. Joe asks that, if you want to do something in his memory, vote Libertarian. Sampson Funeral Home, Colfax is assisting the family. Online condolences may be shared at www.sampsonfuneralhome.com