John H. Starr

John H. Starr, 98, passed away peacefully Thursday, October 9, 2014 in Dousman, Wisconsin. Mr. Starr described by his friends as “a gentle man who was also a gentleman” was born October 28, 1915 in Kekoskee, WI and lived most of his life in Hustisford and Mayville, WI.. He married his loving wife Wanda June Radloff on July 12, 1940 in Minerva, Ohio and they shared 66 happy years together before her death in 2006. Mr. Starr was an engineer, designer, inventor and company owner. He graduated from Mayville High School and went on to work in the Engineering Departments for John Deere Van Brunt, Horicon and MetalFab, Beaver Dam before starting his own company, STARR, INC. in Hustisford in 1959 which specialized in metal fabricating and perforating for the food processing and canning industries. Over the years Mr. Starr developed over 20 registered mechanical patents. Mr. Starr had lifelong interests in music and local sports which he shared with his wife Wanda. Their home was filled with music. They played the piano accordion together or he would play the accordion while she played the piano or organ. He was very active in the Mayville Barbershop Chorus and on many occasions Barber shoppers sang in their home. Mr. Starr was also very proudly the starting pitcher for the Kekoskee City baseball team from 1933 – 35. He was a member of St. Michaels Lutheran Church, Hubbard, WI., and a 50 year member of Neosho-Mayville-Horicon F&A.M. Lodge No. 108. He was also a member of Wisconsin Scottish Rite – Valley of Milwaukee and Tripoli Shrine, Milwaukee. Mr. Starr is survived by his sister Elizabeth Kuen of Fond du Lac, his son Jan (Susan) of Grosse Pte. Farms, Michigan, two grandsons John (Kimberly) of St. Clair Shores, MI. and Charles (Amber) of Denver, Co, two great grandsons John and James, several nieces and nephews and many dear friends. Mr. Starr was predeceased by his loving wife Wanda, his parents John and Mary Starr and four sisters Marie Schabel, Catherine Hundertmark, Clara Anthony and Helen Starr. Services will be held at St. Michaels Lutheran Church – Town of Hubbard, Saturday, November 15th. A Masonic service will be held at 10:30 a.m. and the Memorial service at 11:00 a.m.. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Michael’s Lutheran Church, N4919 Gray Rd., Hustisford, WI 53034 and Three Pillars Masonic Center for Health & Rehabilitation, 400 N. Main Street, Dousman, WI. 53118.