Charles (Chuck) Ashley Starks, age 59, of 209 Webster St, Beaver Dam, WI, passed away on June 19, 2006, following a courageous battle with lung cancer. His strength, determination and fortitude were most admirable.
Visitation for Charles will be on Thursday, June 22, 2006 at the Murray Funeral Home in Beaver Dam at 5:00 PM until 8:00PM. Funeral Services will be held on Friday, June 23, 2006 at 11:00 AM, at the Murray Funeral Home, with Father John Schreiter officiating. Burial will follow the service at St. Patrick”s Cemetery, with military graveside services.
Charles will be remembered in our hearts as a kind, gentle, giving soul, who treasured his family, his children and his friends. He was a truly gifted intellect; a spirited philosopher. His analytical capabilities were extraordinary. He had a passion for technology and was a talented programmer and designer. He enjoyed all music, but was especially fond of rhythm and blues. His family and this great country, were most important to him. He dreamed of retirement, traveling and camping. He will be greatly missed.
Charles, the son of Charles Elliott Starks and Lorna Emily (Thiel) Starks, was born on November 21, 1946, at St. Joseph”s Hospital in Beaver Dam, WI. His early childhood years were spent in Beaver Dam, Germany and Massachusetts as he was born into a military family. In 1964 Charles graduated from Ayer High School, Ayer, Massachusetts, and in 1971 he received his undergraduate degree in philosophy from Boston State College, Boston, MA. He later became licensed as a Second Class Fireman (Boiler), for the State of Massachusetts. In 1974 Charles attended graduate school at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, where he studied labor relations.
In 1968 Charles married Helene Cahill in Ayer, MA and during their marriage they were blessed with two beautiful daughters, Jennifer and Jessica. In 1983 Charles wed Julie Buzzell of Beaver Dam, WI and his family increased with two step-children, Dee and Doyle. Charles loved all of his children dearly and he was an exemplary role model for them.
In 2005 Charles retired from Marshall Erdmann and Associated of Middleton WI, after 15 years of employment as a licensed engineer. Previous employment included: Econo-Vent Division of Maysteel, Mayville, WI; American Medical Building, Milwaukee, WI; Production Engineer at Badger Cold Storage, Beaver Dam, WI; 1969-1971 Maintenance Engineer at New England Life Insurance Building and Tufts New England Medical Center, Boston, MA; 1965-1969 he served in The United States Air Force, Minuteman Missile Silos Project.
He is survived by his mother, Lorna E. Starks of Beaver Dam; his daughters, Jennifer (Jim) Starks-Barnett of Stoughton, Jessica Starks (Mike Loomis) of Cambridge, Dee (Tim) Bergdoll of Watertown; his son, Doyle Buzzell of Florida; his sisters, Michelle LaReau (Todd Gernetzke) of Juneau, Rose (Mark) Gardner of Lakebay, WA; his granddaughters, Lindsay and Kassidee of Watertown; niece, Lisa (Michael) Contois of Steamboat Springs, CO; many loved aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
Charles was preceded in death by his father, Charles Elliott Starks, in 1975; an infant brother, Gerald Charles, in 1943; maternal and paternal grandparents; many aunts and uncles.
Charles was fortunate to have experienced one of life”s greatest gifts, the joy of true friendship. Thank you to all of Charles” friends, especially: Ron Rothenberger, Monique Faber, Ruth Voelker, and neighbor Wes for your enduring friendship with Charles through the years. He spoke highly of his relationships with all of you and he held each of you dear in his heart to the very end. ” We have been friends together, in sunshine and in shade.” -C.E.S. Norton
The family of Charles Starks would like to give special thanks to Dr. Yee and the caregivers and nurses of Hospice; Joyce, Linda, Tina, Deb, Stephani and Kathy. You touched Chuck”s life and ours more than you know. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the care and support you have extended. You helped us provide Chuck”s final wish: without you, it would not have been possible.
Chuck was a firm believer in education and the opportunities it affords youth. He also had a great appreciation for humanitarians. “To everything there is a season & a time to every purpose under the heaven…” -Ecclesiastes 3v:1-8
Memorials can be made to Hillside Hospice in memory of Charles A. Starks.
The Murray Funeral Home in Beaver Dam is serving the family.
www.MurrayFH.com
Service Details
Friday, June 23rd, 2006, 11:00am
Interment Details
St. Patrick’s Cemetery-Beaver Dam