Walter "John" Stark, Jr.

Private family graveside services for Walter "John" Stark, Jr. will be held on Thursday, November 12, 2020, at 2:00 p.m. at the Prairie Home Cemetery in Holdrege, Nebraska with John's great-grandson, Nicholas Martozie, officiating.  Military Honors will be conducted by the Loomis Veterans Organization in conjunction with the United States Marine Corps Funeral Honors Team.  The graveside service for John will be live-streamed at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home Facebook page. (https://www.facebook.com/Nelson-Bauer-Funeral-Homes-111601113801622)

Due to health concerns, regarding the COVID-19 pandemic; current CDC and Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services guidelines for Faith-Based Services and Gatherings will be followed.

Walter John Stark, Jr., 88 years of age, of Hastings, Nebraska, (formerly of Holdrege and Loomis, Nebraska), passed away on Sunday, November 8, 2020, at the VA Nebraska – Western Iowa Health Care System in Grand Island, Nebraska.  John was born July 14, 1932, in Ragan, Nebraska, the second of four children to Walter John Stark and Elsie (Murphy) Stark.  He received his education from Loomis Public School, graduating from Loomis High School with the class of 1949.  John then pursued higher education at Kearney State College, where he received his teaching credentials.

John then taught school for a short time in Brown County and Phelps County, Nebraska, before serving his country during the Korean Conflict.  John was inducted into the United States Marine Corps on September 5, 1951, serving until his honorable discharge on January 2, 1954.

On January 12, 1951, he was united in marriage to Doris Lee Sprague and to this union the couple were blessed with four children:  Michael, Joy, Beth, and Connie.  The family made their home two miles north of Loomis, where John engaged in farming and cattle ranching for twenty-five years.  John then began a career in sales with Morton Buildings from 1978 until 1985, serving as Sales Manager for the company.  In 1985, John accepted a position with Hawkins Manufacturing in Holdrege as plant manager until 1990.  He later retired from Machinery Auction Company based out of Crane, Missouri in 1992.  Later in years, John and Doris began to make their home in Hastings to be near family.

Those who knew John can relate to the fact that he liked to stay busy, whether it be river hunting or being a handyman, he could always find something to do!

John was a past member of United Methodist Church in Loomis; the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars; and past member of the Elks Lodge.

Besides his parents, John was preceded in death by his daughter, Connie Stark; grandson, Christopher Lovegrove; brother, Darrell "Dee" Stark and his wife, Beverly; sister, Kathryn Shield; brother-in-law, Dean Sprague; sister-in-law, Dorothy Nelson and her husband, Maynard; and a niece, Darla Cohagan.

John leaves to celebrate his life; his wife, Doris Stark of Hastings, Nebraska; three children:  Michael Stark and his wife, Marletta of Crete, Nebraska; Joy Stoltenberg and her husband, Scott of Morrill, Nebraska; and Beth Lovegrove and her special friend, John of Hastings, Nebraska and Makato, Kansas; three grandchildren:  Michelle Myers and her husband, LarTee of Columbia, South Carolina; Kristina Stark of Crete; and Andy Lovegrove of Superior; grand daughter-in-law, Christopher's wife, Britni Lovegrove of Superior; four great-grandchildren:  Corrine Myers; Erin Myers; Nicholas Martozie; and Kylee Roberts; brother, Jerrold Stark and his wife, Betty of Hays, Kansas; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

There will be no visitation or memorial book signing, the family is honoring John's wish for cremation.

In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established in John's honor, and kindly suggested to the family for later designation.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is assisting the family with the arrangements.