Paul H. Stark

November 19, 1931 - June 25, 2016

Paul H. Stark, 84, long time Boone funeral director and businessman passed away at the Eastern Star Masonic Home in Boone, Iowa on Wednesday morning, June, 22, 2016 where he had resided since April of 2015. He was born on November 19, 1931 in Boone, Iowa the son of Paul Russell and Opal Anna (Welin) Stark. On June 19, 1955, he married Gretchen Kinter at the First Presbyterian Church in Boone. Paul was a 1950 graduate of Boone High School and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from the University of Iowa in 1955, where he also was a member of the Iowa Basketball team. He served in the U.S. Army from 1955 until 1957. Following his honorable discharge, Paul attended the San Francisco School of Mortuary Science where he received his Mortuary Science Degree with Honors in December of 1958 and returned home to join his father, Paul R. Stark, in the operation and management of Welin Memorial Chapel which his grandfather Henry M. Welin had established in 1888, later becoming known as Stark-Welin Funeral Directors. Paul served the community as a funeral service professional and provider for 42 years, retiring in September of 2001. During that time, he was a member of the Iowa Funeral Directors Association and the National Funeral Directors Association. Throughout his business career, Paul had a philosophy of giving back to the community by serving as: Past President of the Boone United Way Fund, Noon Kiwanis Club from 1969-1970 and the Boone Touchdown Club from 1973-1978; served as Vice-President of the Babe Ruth Baseball League in 1975 and was a past member of the Board of Directors of the Boone Little League Association; was Past Chairman for the Boone City American Cancer Society and 1975 Boone County Easter Seals campaign. Paul actively served as a past member on the Board of Directors of the Chamber of Commerce, Boone Industrial Development, S.L. Moore Charity Foundation, DMACC Foundation from 1975-1978 and was Secretary and Chairman of the Board at Hawkeye Savings and Loan. In 1966 he was honored by the Jr. Chamber Of Commerce as “Outstanding Young Man” and in 1974 was recognized by that same organization as the “Boss Of The Year”. He was instrumental in helping to create the current YMCA facilities we have today by serving as President for a number of years and also as General Chairman in charge of fund raising for the various building expansions and additions. In 1970, he was recognized for his efforts and dedication as the “YMCA Layman Of The Year”. Paul was a long time member of the First United Methodist Church serving on various committees in the past. His father Paul R. in January of 1989; mother Opal in October of 1989; a sister Barbara McIntyre in April of 1988; and mother-in-law Frankie Lou Standley in February of 2004 preceded him in death. Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Gretchen of Boone; a son, Dr. Steven P. Stark and wife Dr. Kelly Rhodes-Stark of Kansas City, Missouri; a granddaughter Hillary Stark and a grandson Daniel Stark both of Kansas City, Missouri; a sister Jean Blanshan and husband Jim of Boone; and several nieces and nephews. Visitations will be held on Friday evening, June 24th from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Stark-Welin Chapel in Boone and will continue on Saturday morning at the Chapel from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service. Services will be held on Saturday morning, June 25th at 11:00 a.m. at the Stark-Welin Chapel in Boone with Rev. Douglas Cue officiating. Private interment will be in the Linwood Park Cemetery in Boone. In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials be directed to the First United Methodist Church, 703 Arden Street, Boone, Iowa 50036 or the Boone Area Humane Society, 228 W 16th Street, Boone, Iowa 50036.