R. Dean Starr, 91, of Hamilton, IL, died Monday, June 22, 2020.  Dean was born in Keokuk, IA on January 7, 1929, to Cleophas and Florence (Bolton) Starr.  He married Marjorie Troutvetter on June 5, 1953 in Hamilton, IL.  They were blessed to celebrate 67 years together.  

 

Dean graduated valedictorian from Hamilton High School in 1947.   He farmed with his father until drafted into the Army in April 1951 during the Korean Conflict.  He was stationed in the Black Forest of Germany until March 1953.

 

Dean farmed in the Nauvoo area all his life.  He was active in many community organizations including Golden’s Point Church where he served as an elder for 30 years.  He served as president of the Memorial Hospital Board, the Hamilton School Board, Hancock County Soil Conservation Board, the Western Illinois Electrical Coop Board, and the Western Illinois Farm Business Farm Management Board.  He trained students in farming through vocational and technical training programs at Nauvoo-Colusa High School and Carl Sandburg College.  His family was chosen as the 1990 Hancock County Pork Producer Family of the Year and the 2017 Quincy Herald-Whig Farm Family of the Year.

 

Dean is survived by his wife, Marjorie, as well as their children Ron (Patti) Starr of Nauvoo, IL; Karen (Clark) Taylor of Missoula, MT; Ann (Larry) Firkins of Dewey, IL; and Maria (Kevin) Elam of Knoxville, TN.  He is also survived by 12 grandchildren:  Matthew (Susan) Starr, Magen (Jon) Eller, Kathleen (Keith) Hamby, Nathan (Kasey) Taylor, Jordan (Annelies) Taylor, Andrew Firkins, Sarah (Austin) Ducey, Kelsey (Charlie) Hoever; and Patrick, Jonathan, Jack, and Kristina Elam.  Also surviving are thirteen great-grandchildren and two brothers, Lester Starr of Hamilton and Harold Starr of Carthage.  He was preceded in death by his brother, Lloyd Starr; and great-grandson, Lincoln Hamby.  

 

Dean’s priorities in life were his faith, his family, and his community.

 

Services for Dean Starr will be held Friday, June 26, 2020, at 11 a.m. at Golden’s Point Christian Church, Hamilton, IL.  There will be no visitation.  Interment will be at Oak Grove Cemetery, Hamilton, IL.  Memorials may be made to Golden’s Point Church or Oak Grove Cemetery Association.

 

Tributes and condolences may be left at www.printyfuneralhome.com.

 

Printy Funeral Home in Hamilton is in charge of arrangements.