Published: November 21, 2008 09:57 pm         

Beloved Stark family member dies

Family and friends remember Ida Marie Dickens Stark as someone who always had a smile and a kind, loving heart.

Ida Marie Stark, 85, a prominent and beloved citizen of Orange was found dead at her residence Wednesday.

She was born May 3, 1923 to a pioneering family, in the beautiful state of Colorado. Every summer she took her growing family “home” for a month-long visit.

She met and married William Henry Stark II, in 1942 while he stayed at the Stark family ranch nearby. Within about six months they were married.

“Their marriage was so special and they were happy together like they were still so much in love,” said Linda Stark Barras, Ida Marie’s daughter.

The Starks moved to Orange to begin their life where they were dedicated members of the First Presbyterian Church.

Over the years they raised their children, William Henry “Bill” Stark, III, Randall Hill Stark and Linda Stark Barras, all of Orange. She was also blessed with 15 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren.

Ida Marie loved her family and lived each day as though it would be her last, according to family members.

Linda Stark Barras remembers her mother as a person who liked her house neat but also someone who “liked to joke and cut up.”

Bill Stark passed away in Sept. 1979, but Ida Marie remained in Orange close to her family and many friends.

Ida Marie was said to have friend wherever she went and brought life into the room she entered, said Sue Craft, a family friend.

“She was a wonderful lady,” Craft said. “She was the type of person you could drop in for a cup of coffee and just to chit-chat.”

It was after her husband died that Ida Marie came up with the idea of a prayer garden on the church grounds. She was the inspiration and guiding force for the creation of the First Presbyterian Prayer Garden which was dedicated in memory of her husband, W.H. “Bill” Stark, II and his mother, Nita Hill Stark.

“She liked the idea of a quiet place to sit and pray,” Craft said. “She will be missed by her church family.”

Ida Marie was also a charter member of the Orange Service League, had volunteered as a Gray Lady at the former Orange Memorial Hospital and served with the Orange Chamber of Commerce beautification committee during their crepe myrtle drive.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Monday, at Community Church in Orange with the Reverend Margaret Desmond, Reverend Mike Umbenhaur and Reverend David Berkheimer officiating.

Entombment will follow in the family mausoleum at Evergreen Cemetery in Orange .

There will be no visitation; however, following the committal service Monday, all are invited to join the family for a reception to be held in the Gillespie Building at First Presbyterian Church in Orange.   

Ida Marie is believed to have died as result of a gunshot wound to her head. The case is still under investigation by the Orange Police Department. An autopsy and gun residue tests have been ordered. Results are pending.

     

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