George “Grumpy” E. Starks Sr.
1941-2020
George “Grumpy” E. Starks Sr., 78, of Owen, passed away with his loving family by his side on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2020 at Clark County Rehabilitation and Living Center under the tender of care of hospice. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 29 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Withee. Reverend Daniel Vang will officiate. Military honors will be provided by Lublin American Legion Post No. 547, Owen American Legion Post No. 123 and the Owen-Withee Vets Club. Family and friends are welcome from 4-8 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 28 at Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home in Owen and will continue from 10 a.m. until time of services on Saturday at the church.
George was born on Dec. 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 U.S. 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 Sept. 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 and Sons. After retirement, he moved to Owen.
George loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter and 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 greatgrandchildren 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. of 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; brotherin- 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.
Paid Obituary 85794
