Mary Starr 1921-2015

Mary Emily Starr, 93, Holton, died Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2015, at The Pines in Holton.

She was born Dec. 11, 1921, on a farm in Soldier, the daughter of Otto Ross and Stella Louise Pea­sley McKinsey. She attended Buck’s Grove and Avoca grade schools and graduated from Soldier High School in 1940.

Mrs. Starr was a farmwife and a lifelong member of the Soldier community.

She was a member of Circleville Christian Church and V.F.W. La­dies Auxiliary Post 1367. She also was a member of Widowed Friends, formerly known as Chris­tian’s Women.

She married Dale Francis Starr on May 9, 1943, in Circleville. He died May 5, 2011. She also was preceded in death by a great-grand­daughter, Natalie Howerton.

Survivors include a son, Robert D. Starr and wife Bernita, Topeka; two daughters, Donna Simmons and husband Allan, Soldier, and Dianne Alford and husband Harold, Topeka; a sister, Bessie Swain, Holton; a brother, Vern McKinsey, Onaga; three grandchildren, Becky Howerton, Brandy McGovern and Steven Starr; and nine great-grand­children.

Memorial services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 7 at Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. The ashes of Mrs. Starr and her husband will both be placed in Olive Hill Cemetery following the service. Family will greet friends from 9 a.m. until service time Saturday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Jackson County Relay for Life or the Circleville Christian Church building fund, sent in care of Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436.