Ronald Stark

Ronald Edwin Stark, one of four children, was born October 2, 1946, to Vernon Noel and Phyllis Fern (Warrick) Stark in Clarke County, Iowa. Ron, at the age of 73 years passed from this life at the Clearview Home in Mt. Ayr, Iowa on April 21, 2020.

Ronnie grew up in Grand River and graduated from Grand Valley High School in 1964. On August 6, 1964, he married Rosemary Elaine Brown (his high school sweet heart) in Bethany, Missouri. They made their first home along “Sand Creek” at the Warrick Family farm, from there they bought a farm in Westerville where they lived until 1986. From Westerville they moved to The Stark Family Farm where Ronnie grew up, in 1994, they moved to the current home on the old Westervelt Place. They were blessed with their three children, Ronald Douglas, Dennis Ray, and Sheila Anne. At a young age he had started farming alongside his father and brother Bob. After his graduation his passion for farming became his full time occupation, doing custom combining and silage for local farmers as a way to provide for the family.

In 1982, when farming just wasn’t enough Ronnie started his livestock trucking business. He didn’t care what it was, he would haul it to help support his family. Better known as “Double Diamond” by all his trucker friends, you could always recognize his truck by the brand that proudly marked each one. One of his proudest moments was when he received a buckle for hauling rodeo stock for Grand River Rodeo Company for 30 years.

In his free time he enjoyed horses, going to rodeos, reading westerns, and doing word search puzzles. After retirement he enjoyed mowing pastures and everybody’s yards, even though he may have ended up in the river or a pond a few times. Ronnie also enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. His occasional trip to Grand River for coffee in the morning was also the highlight of his day.

Preceding him in death were his parents; sister, Shirley Stark; and grandson, Curtis Stark. Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 55 years and 8 months, Rosemary Stark of Grand River, Iowa; sister, Sharilyn (Andrew) Aragon of Albuquerque, New Mexico; brother, Bob (Donna) Stark of Wendell, North Carolina; three children and their spouses, Ronald “Doug” (Cindy) Stark of Ellston, Iowa, Dennis Stark of Grand River, Iowa, and Sheila (Robert) Millard of Durant, Oklahoma; eight grandchildren and their spouses, Katie (Chad) Harris, Courtney (Weston) Pierschbacher, Patrick Stark, Paige (Michael) Rouse, Alyssa Stark (Gregg Anderson), Taylor (Jason) Lamb, Austin Millard, and Derek (Dani) Millard; great grandchildren, Kaylie & Kye Harris, Burke Pierschbacher, Logan & Liam Rouse, Jude Stark, Samuel, Annie, & Trey Lamb, and on the way, Willow Darlene Millard; nieces and nephews; and many other relatives and friends.

Even though we will miss him, his love and spirit will continue to inspire each of us.

A private funeral will take place at Slade – O’Donnell Funeral Home in Leon, Iowa and he will be laid to rest at the Grand River Cemetery, Grand River, Iowa. A public memorial service will be held at a later date.