John V. Stark

October 18, 1924 - November 6, 2011

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. Friends may call at the Calvary United Methodist Church in Stratford on Sunday afternoon from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. with the family present during that time to greet friends. Visitations will continue at the Church on Monday morning from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service. Those wishing to express their sympathies through a memorial may direct their gift to the American Legion Frederick Sonksen Post #576 of Stratford, Iowa or the VFW Post #9668 of Urbandale, Iowa.