William J. Starkweather

William J. Starkweather, age 89 of Highland, IL, died Monday, February 03, 2014, at Saint Joseph Hospital in Highland, IL. He was born on Thursday, October 09, 1924, in Broken Arrow, OK, the son of John W. and Mildred K. (nee Castel) Starkweather. On Saturday, November 03, 1951, he married Margaret L. Starkweather (nee Claxton) who passed away on Sunday, May 31, 2009. He was a member of First Baptist Church, Alhambra, IL; VFW Post 5694-Highland (former Chaplain for 20 years); Lee Iten Post 439-American Legion-Highland; Disabled American Veterans (lifetime member); President of Harris Cemetery Board at Alhambra; Past President and delegate for Veterans Assistance Commission at Edwardsville, Ill.. Mr. Starkweather was born at Broken Arrow, OK., he moved to IL at age 2. He was a 1942 graduate of Hettick High School, Hettick, IL. He worked at Owens Illinois Glass for seven months then went into the Army with duty in Northern France. On 1/30/45 he was wounded and discharged 3/20/46 as a Sgt., he recieved a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star. He lived in Maryland for a year, New Jersey for 3 1/2 years, and returned to IL in 1950. He then moved to Columbia, MO to work for Foremost Farms Dairy for 2 1/2 years, then School of the Ozarks as herdsman for 2 1/2 years, he then went back to Foremost Farms for 2 years. In 1958 he returned to Owens Illinois Glass and on 9/1/58 he became a Dairy herdsman at Alton State Hospital for 5 years; from 1963-1965 he worked in WI as herdsman; from 1967-1972 he managed a Dairy Farm in Greenville; from 1972-1974 he worked in Alabama as herdsman; in 1974 he went to Nanitou Farm at Alhambra for 2 1/2 years and Granada Farms; in 1976 he went to Highland and worked at the Highland Post Office for 11 years; in 1990 he worked for Clean Uniform where he retired in 2000. He traveled with his wife on Senior Citizen tours. He moved into Faith Countryside Homes in late 2007. He enjoyed watching the St. Louis Cardinal Baseball team; following Tiger Woods; activities at FCH; his family and faith was very important to him. Survivors include: Daughter - Glenna J. White, Brighton, IL Daughter - Betty G. (Ronald) Wilson, Delavan, WI Son - Bruce A. Starkweather, O Fallon, IL Daughter - Sherry G. (Michael) Lappe, New Douglas, IL. He was preceded in death by: Father - John William Starkweather Mother - Mildred Katherine (Castel) Starkweather Wife - Margaret L. Starkweather (died 5/31/2009) Brother - Eldon L. Starkweather Grandchild - Joy Lynn White Son In-law - Robert White. Arrangements are being handled by Spengel-Boulanger Funeral Home in Highland, Illinois. Visitation will be held from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Friday, February 07, 2014, at Spengel-Boulanger Funeral Home in Highland, IL, and from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM, on Saturday, February 08, 2014, at First Baptist Church in Alhambra, IL. Funeral service will be at 10:00 AM on Saturday, February 08, 2014, at First Baptist Church in Alhambra, IL, with Pastor Matt Candlish, Youth Pastor, officiating. Interment will be at Roselawn Cemetery, Bethalto, Illinois. Memorial contributions may be made to Disabled American Veterans.

William J. Starkweather

October 9, 1924 - February 3, 2014