Donald Wesley Starr
October 13, 1921 — March 28, 2014
Donald Wesley Starr was born October 13, 1921, in Edgewood, Iowa the son of Carl and Etta (Hansel) Starr.
As a young man, Don worked on the family farm and for Strawberry Point Creamery. On August 14, 1942, Don enlisted in the United States Army and faithfully served until his honorable discharge on December 10, 1945. Following the war, Don returned home and on April 20, 1946, he was united in marriage to Louise Smith in Manchester, Iowa. Don worked for City Laundry in Oelwein, John Deere in Waterloo, and then drove a passenger bus before taking a job with Hyman-Michaels Railroad Salvage. He was a superintendent for Hyman-Michaels and traveled around the country for deconstruction projects. Don and Louise and their daughter, Pat, moved to Knoxville in 1968. He retired in 1983. During his retirement, he drove a school bus and transported vehicles for Mathias Motors.
He was a member of the First United Methodist Church and a life member of the V.F.W. In his spare time, Don enjoyed working in the yard, visiting with neighbors and friends, canning, and NASCAR. His greatest joy was family; Don especially loved spending time with his wife, daughter, granddaughters, and great-grandchildren.
Don passed away on Friday, March 28, 2014, at the West Ridge Nursing & Rehab center at the age of 92 years.
He was preceded in death by his parents and seven siblings: George, Frank, Jim and Junior Starr, and Bernita Franck, Erma Evers, and Dorothy Wilken.
Those left to honor his memory include his wife of 67 years, Louise; daughter, Pat (Bob) Avitt of Knoxville; granddaughters, Stacey (Scott) Bacorn of Knoxville and Lindsey (Phil) Latessa of Parkville, MO; great-grandchildren, Tara, Tristan, and Brittany Bacorn; sisters, Velma McNeil of Monticello, IA and Donna Smock of Ryan, IA and many other family members and friends.
Funeral Service
First United Methodist Church – Knoxville, Iowa
Tuesday, April 1, 2014 at 10:30 a.m.
Pastors Lane Riggle and Brent Hanna, officiating
Musical Selections
Kristy Bennett, vocalist – Geoff Shultz, pianist
“How Great Thou Art”
“Old Rugged Cross”
“Blessed Assurance” - congregational
Casket Bearers
Bob Avitt Scott Bacorn
Phil Latessa Mike Malone
Dave Wilken Don Wilken
Interment
Graceland Cemetery – Knoxville, Iowa
Military Honors provided by the American Legion Baty-Tucker Post No.168, the V.F.W. John Myers Post #3519 and the United States Army.
The family invites relatives and friends to return to the church for lunch following the committal service.
For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church.
As a young man, Don worked on the family farm and for Strawberry Point Creamery. On August 14, 1942, Don enlisted in the United States Army and faithfully served until his honorable discharge on December 10, 1945. Following the war, Don returned home and on April 20, 1946, he was united in marriage to Louise Smith in Manchester, Iowa. Don worked for City Laundry in Oelwein, John Deere in Waterloo, and then drove a passenger bus before taking a job with Hyman-Michaels Railroad Salvage. He was a superintendent for Hyman-Michaels and traveled around the country for deconstruction projects. Don and Louise and their daughter, Pat, moved to Knoxville in 1968. He retired in 1983. During his retirement, he drove a school bus and transported vehicles for Mathias Motors.
He was a member of the First United Methodist Church and a life member of the V.F.W. In his spare time, Don enjoyed working in the yard, visiting with neighbors and friends, canning, and NASCAR. His greatest joy was family; Don especially loved spending time with his wife, daughter, granddaughters, and great-grandchildren.
Don passed away on Friday, March 28, 2014, at the West Ridge Nursing & Rehab center at the age of 92 years.
He was preceded in death by his parents and seven siblings: George, Frank, Jim and Junior Starr, and Bernita Franck, Erma Evers, and Dorothy Wilken.
Those left to honor his memory include his wife of 67 years, Louise; daughter, Pat (Bob) Avitt of Knoxville; granddaughters, Stacey (Scott) Bacorn of Knoxville and Lindsey (Phil) Latessa of Parkville, MO; great-grandchildren, Tara, Tristan, and Brittany Bacorn; sisters, Velma McNeil of Monticello, IA and Donna Smock of Ryan, IA and many other family members and friends.
Funeral Service
First United Methodist Church – Knoxville, Iowa
Tuesday, April 1, 2014 at 10:30 a.m.
Pastors Lane Riggle and Brent Hanna, officiating
Musical Selections
Kristy Bennett, vocalist – Geoff Shultz, pianist
“How Great Thou Art”
“Old Rugged Cross”
“Blessed Assurance” - congregational
Casket Bearers
Bob Avitt Scott Bacorn
Phil Latessa Mike Malone
Dave Wilken Don Wilken
Interment
Graceland Cemetery – Knoxville, Iowa
Military Honors provided by the American Legion Baty-Tucker Post No.168, the V.F.W. John Myers Post #3519 and the United States Army.
The family invites relatives and friends to return to the church for lunch following the committal service.
For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church.
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