Eric Von Stark (1964-2021)

VON STARK, MUSIL, SEDLACEK, MAREK

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 10/16/2021 at 09:15:45

ERIC VON STARK

Cedar Rapids

Eric Wolfgang Von Stark, 57, died suddenly and unexpectedly on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, at his home in Cedar Rapids. He was formerly from Norway, Iowa. There will be a visitation from 1:30 to

4:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 16, at First Presbyterian Church, downtown Cedar Rapids.

Eric was born on Jan. 3, 1964, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to Arthur Leo Stark and Ruth (Musil) Stark. He was raised in Fairfax, Iowa. He attended Prairie High School and graduated in 1981. The football team that year went undefeated. The team went on to win the State Championship at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. He was very proud to be a part of that team. He continued his athletic path to include boxing, following in his father's footsteps as his Dad was known as the Martelle Mauler.

After graduation, he moved to Mason City where he attended NIACC and received his degree in pollution control. He went on to work for "Mr. Gentry" at Wellbourn Industries. While in Mason City he flipped several houses before returning to Cedar Rapids to help his father with his company, Stark Excavation. That company was eventually purchased by Rinderknecht Construction of which Eric continued to be a consultant.

Eric became well known in the Cedar Rapids community as he worked as the Facilities Supervisor at First Presbyterian for 22 years while he was raising his two children as a single parent. In wanting the best for his children and to help other single fathers like himself, he changed an Iowa law by forming "Fathers have Rights Too!" This program was started at UnityPoint at St. Luke's and evolved into "Young Parents Network."

Eric was a very talented young man who always put everyone's needs ahead of his own. If something needed to be fixed, built or corrected, Eric was your man. He helped several congressional members with work they needed done in their homes.

Left to honor his memory are his children, Jacob Dale Von Stark and Shelby Ann Marie Stark (Emanuel); granddaughter, Rayna Marie; and his fiancee, Deb Sedlacek. Also his sister, Suzette Marek (Stephen) of North Carolina; and nephew, Garett Marek.

He was preceded in death by his father, Arthur and grandparents.

Memorial donations may be directed to Camp Courageous, Make a Wish Foundation or the Boys and Girls Club of Iowa.