RODNEY GENE STARK

Rodney Gene Stark, son of Dale E. and Helen (Van Dyke) Stark, was born May 1, 1945 at the Clarke County Hospital in Osceola, Iowa.
In 1963, Rod graduated from Grand Valley Community School in Kellerton, Iowa. He furthered his education at the Universal Trade School in Omaha, Nebraska. Rod was an auto body repairman for 52 years; working for Harvey Brothers and then Glendenning Motor Company. Rod was also an active member of the Mount Ayr Volunteer Fire Dept for 47 years.
On September 11, 1964, Rod was united in marriage to Patty Grout at the Tingley United Methodist Church.
Rod enjoyed fishing, woodworking (to which he was a perfectionist) and attending his grandkids many events. He also loved the Christmas season and picking out the perfect gifts for his grandkids.
In his younger years, Rod was an avid race car driver and fan. In his later years, he enjoyed helping Donnie with his race car.
Rod passed away June 16, 2018. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister Joyce Dahlin; and brothers-in-laws, Ivan Grout and Lynn Grout.
Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Patty, of Mount Ayr; three children Donnie (Kim) Stark of Mount Ayr, Dee (Mike) Sobotka of Tingley, and Darrell (Kelly) Stark of Osceola; grandchildren Maddilyn (Jake) Bennett, Bailea Stark, Rachel Sobotka, Eva Sobotka, Kolton Stark, Darian Stark, Kenzie Stark; step-grandchildren Sarah (Tyler) Christian, Seth (Kristin) Williams, Luke Williams (Emily Hunt); great grandchild Kennedy Bennett; step-great grandchildren Eli Williams and Trace Williams; parents-in-law Donald and Helen Grout; brothers-in-law Michael Dahlin (Monika), Glenn Grout (Debra); Ralph Grout (Cindy), sisters-in-law, Mary Adams (Harold), Billie Jo Greene (Curt); aunt and uncle, Ray and Carmi VanDyke; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
Memorials are to the Mount Ayr Fire Department and the Mount Ayr United Methodist Church.
Services were at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 20, 2018 at the United Methodist Church in Mount Ayr, Iowa.
Officiating was Rev. Melvin Ammon.
Obituary and memories was Bill Armstrong.
Musicians were Deb Cannon, John Allen and Al Ibbotson. Special songs were “Silent Night” and “The Old Rugged Cross”.
Casketbearers were the Mount Ayr Fire Department. Honorary pallbearers were Paul Glendenning, Todd Glendenning, Lloyd Glendenning, Lywanda Case, Kevin Campbell and Jack Campbell.
Rod was laid to rest at the Tingley Cemetery in Tingley, Iowa.