Beatrice U. Starke

Beatrice U. “Bea” Starke, 98, of St. Joseph, passed away Thursday, September 23, 2021. A graveside service will be held on Friday, October 22, 2021, at 2PM, at Riverview Cemetery, 2925 Niles Rd., with Pastor Jeffrey Hubers officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to Good Shepard Manor, PO Box 260, Momence, IL, 60954 or First Congregational Church, 2001 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Starks & Menchinger Chapel & Cremation Services. Bea was born on September 17, 1923, to James & Sarah (McCulloch) Ubil in Cresson, PA. She graduated from Eastern High School, Washington D.C. in 1941, then continued her education at Hood College in Frederick, Maryland. Bea then worked for Curtis Wright Corp. as a medical technician. On August 1, 1945, Bea married Edward “Ned” Starke at Highland Presbyterian Church in Louisville, KY. They moved to St. Joseph to raise their family and for Ned to join his father’s company Starke’s Insurance. Bea volunteered at the local hospital for the women’s auxiliary and also for the Heritage Center. Bea had a caregiver’s heart, always willing to help her friends. She was an avid bridge player with her friends and at the St. Joe Senior Center. Bea is survived by her sons, Jeffrey (Barbara) Starke of Coloma and Donald Starke of Momence, IL; grandchildren, Emily (James) Mitchell, Nathanael Bell; great-grandchildren, Charlotte and Aidan Bell and Harper & Abner Mitchell. Bea was preceded in death by her parents, James & Sarah Ubil and husband Ned Starke.