Obit: Starks, George E. "Grumpy" (1941 – 2020)

Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Starks, Gemmeke, Dietzman, Vang, Bower, Andrews, Hamm, Penk, Hubbard, Fredrick, Marthaler, Richardson, Trunkel, Quade, Budzinski, Jaecks, Sommers, Poppe, Kiraly, Rice

----Source: THORP COURIER 26 Feb 2020

Starks, George E. "Grumpy" (9 DEC 1941 – 23 FEB 2020)

George E. "Grumpy" Starks Sr., age 78, of Owen, passed away with his loving family by his side on Sunday, February 23, 2020, at Clark County Rehabilitation and Living Center under the tender of care of hospice.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 29, 2020, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Withee. The Rev. Daniel Vang will officiate. Military Honors will be provided by Lublin American Legion Post #547, Owen American Legion Post #123 and the Owen-Withee Vets Club. Family and friends are welcome from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. on Friday, February 28 at the Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home in Owen and from 10:00 a.m. until time of services Saturday at the church.

George was born on December 9, 1941, the son of Emory and Iola (Gemmeke) Starks in Stanley. He was a graduate of Stanley High School. George was drafted into the US Army and was stationed in Fort Benning, GA and served active duty from 1963 to 1966 during the Vietnam War.

His marriage to Elaine Waneitta Dietzman took place on September 25, 1965. George received a four year degree in Theology from Oakland City University in Indiana and served as a pastor for Baptist churches and a Baptist camp in Illinois. They moved back to the Thorp area where he was a dump truck driver and machine operator for Haas & Sons. After retirement, he moved to Owen.

George loved the outdoors was an avid hunter am fisherman. He liked to work in his woods, especially with his bulldozer and also making maple syrup. George loved going to horse shows, as well as watching his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren compete. He was a long term member of the Circle T Saddle Club in Thorp.

George is survived by his wife, Elaine, of 54 years; four children: Jackie (Dave) Bower of Owen, Candace (Conrad) Andrews of Baraboo, Kristin Hamm (Adam Penk) of Greenwood, and George Starks, Jr. Thorp; 13 grandchildren: Luke Bower, Ben (Julia) Hubbard, Carmella (Dylan) Fredrick, Cody (Sam) Hubbard, Devon Hubbard (Eugene Quade), Ivan (Katie Jo) Hubbard, Katie Bower, Cassie Marthaler, Ashlee Hamm, Karsyn Penk, Sean Richardson, Andy Andrews and Kelly Andrews; nine great-grandchildren: Taylor Bower, Sawyer Hubbard, Alanna Hubbard-Fredrick, Dean Fredrick, Lola Fredrick, Dax Fredrick, Abraham Hubbard, James Trunkel, and Leroy Quade. He is further survived by three sisters: Vera Budzinski of Thorp, Ruby (Bruce) Jaecks of Wausau and Ruth (John) Sommers of Stevens Point; a sister-in-law, Marian Poppe of Thorp; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a granddaughter, Courtney Starks; great-granddaughter, Bailey Bower; a sister, Velma (Kenneth) Kiraly; brother-in- law, Eugene Budzinski; a sister-in-law, Mary Ellen Rice; and a son-in-law, Eric Hamm.

Family and friends may express condolences online at www.maurinaschilling.com.