John Starr

John P. Starr, 87 of Eldora, died from natural causes on Friday, October 24, 2008 at Valley View Nursing and Rehab Center in Eldora while under the care of Iowa Hospice. Following cremation, memorial services will be held at 10:30 am on Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Eldora with Pastor Corey Larson officiating. Burial will follow in the Eldora City Cemetery with military honors provided by Walter-Sayer Post 182 of the American Legion and Roll-Harless Post 3974 of the VFW. John’s family will be present to greet friends at the church one hour prior to the services. Memorials may be directed to his church or to Hospice. Creps-Abels Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

John was born August 4, 1921 in Eldora, son of George A. and Nellie V. (Walter) Starr and graduated from Iowa Falls High School. He was a veteran of WWII serving in the Pacific with the U.S. Army from 1942 -1945. On July 6, 1944 John was united in marriage to Virginia “Lee” Saltzman in Marshalltown. They made their home in Eldora where John operated the Ben Franklin Store for over forty years. After retirement John and Lee made their home in Brownsville, Texas for over seventeen years, returning to Eldora in 2002. He was very involve in his community having memberships in the First Congregational United Church of Christ, Pine Lake Country Club, Eldora Rotary, Elks Club, Walter-Sayer Post 182 of the American Legion and Roll-Harless Post 3974 of the VFW. John also served on the Eldora City Council, and hospital and school boards. He loved to golf and enjoyed cooking and baking, and was well known for his hand-dipped chocolate.

Surviving is his wife, Lee; daughter, Val Meeker and her husband David of Eldora; sons, George and his wife Rosie of Iowa City and John “Bob” and his wife Meiling who live in Mesa, Arizona; by a grandson, 2 great-grandchildren, 3 step-grandsons, and 5 step-great grandchildren; and by several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, George; and sister, Jeannette Wickey.