THREE IN SERVICE
Leon Stark, S2/c, son of Mr. and Mrs. Glen Stark of Stratford, who was wounded in the Okinawa campaign has been returned to Farragut, Idaho, according to word received here. He served aboard the destroyer U.S.S Aaron Ward and had been overseas six months. He wears the presidential citation. His wife and daughter live at Stratford.
Another son of the Starks, John V. Stark, S2/c, has been in the service since October, 1944, and at present is waiting on ship repair at San Diego, Cal.
A son-in-law of Mr. and Mrs. Stark, Cpl. Perry Richeson, is located in Puerto Rico, after serving with the Fifth army in Italy. At his present station, Richeson is working in an ice cream factory with six Puerto Rican civilians under his direction. Corporal Richeson was employed at Forrester’s creamery in this city prior to entering the service.
Source: Daily Freeman Journal, Webster City, IA - July 11, 1945
Two sons and a son-in-law of Mr. and Mrs. G. L. (Myrtle M. Egland) Stark of Stratford served their country in World War II:
John Victor ‘Johnny’ Stark was born Oct. 18, 1924. He died Nov. 2, 2011 and is buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Stratford, IA.
John served with the U.S. Navy in World War II aboard the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Simony.
John V. Stark, 87, formerly of Stratford, Iowa and currently of Des Moines, passed away at the Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines on Wednesday morning, November 2, 2011.
He was born on October 18, 1924 in Stanhope, Iowa the son of Glen and Myrtle (Egland) Stark.
On February 21, 1947, he married Ilo Wahman at the 7th Street Methodist Church in Kansas City, Kansas.
John graduated from Stanhope High School. He was a veteran of World War II serving in the Navy aboard the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Siboney. After returning from service, he farmed in the Boone, Hamilton and Webster county area until his retirement in the 1980's. The couple moved to Des Moines where they were currently living.
John was a member of the Avery Tractor Club, International Tractor Club, the American Legion Frederick Sonksen Post #576 of Stratford and the VFW Post #9668 of Urbandale, Iowa.
His parents; sister LaVonne Kramer; and brother Leon "Bud" Stark preceded him in death.
Survivors include his wife Ilo of Des Moines; 2 sons Steven Stark of Winterset, Iowa and Doug Stark and wife Judy of Coralville, Iowa; 3 grandchildren Kasey Stark and Whitney Stark both of Parkland, Florida and Angie Eubanks of Waukee, Iowa; 3 great-grandsons; a brother Sterling Stark and wife Harriett of Mesa, Arizona; nieces and nephews.
Services will be held on Monday morning, November 7th at 10:00 a.m. at the Calvary United Methodist Church in Stratford, Iowa with Rev. Gina Spohnheimer officiating.
Interment will be in the Oakwood Cemetery north of Stratford with military honors conducted by the American Legion Frederick Sonksen Post #576 of Stratford.
Source: ancestry.com
