Mervyn Stark

Mervyn “Jim” John Stark, 86, journeyed to his heavenly home, peacefully surrounded by the family he loved, on Sunday, January 1, 2017.  Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday, January 5, 2017 at the Melby Funeral Home & Crematory, Platteville.  Pastor Pamela Strakeljahn will officiate.  Friends may call from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 4, 2017 at the Melby Funeral Home & Crematory, or from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home.  Burial will be at Hillside Cemetery, Platteville, immediately followed by a luncheon at First English Lutheran Church in Platteville.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Mervyn “Jim” Stark Memorial Fund.  Online condolences may be made at www.melbyfh.com.

Jim was born on August 25, 1930 in Platteville, the son of Fred and Lena (Hons) Stark.  He graduated from Platteville High School. Jim went on to work at Burgess Battery Factory, dorm construction work at UW-Platteville, nine years as a Grant County Deputy, a truck driver with Lonsberg's and then Carry Transport until his retirement.

He married his love, Ardith (Fivecoat) Hirsch on June 21, 1986.  Their love blended two families to become one.  Jim and Ardith enjoyed traveling and visiting wonderful places in their RV.  They especially loved choosing Yuma, Arizona, as their winter home.  They made lifelong friendships with fellow transplants from different locations in the US and Canada, who had also discovered the charms of Yuma.  Jim enjoyed creating things from wood and anything else he could find in his abundant stash of goodies.  He was an avid hunter and fisherman, and enjoyed taking anyone along with him and Ardith.  A few years after they sold their house in Platteville, they purchased their home in Bagley, Wisconsin.  They lived there and made many wonderful friends.  In the summer of 2015 they moved to Platteville to be closer to family.

Jim was a devoted son and brother, a loving and kind husband, a loyal friend and a proud teaching father and grandfather.

Jim is survived by his wife of 30 years, Ardith; three daughters, Pam Stark of Platteville; Terry Benn of Hazel Green, WI; Sarah (Jay) Brant of Platteville; five sons, Dennis (Jayne) Stark of Platteville, Mark Hirsch of Platteville; Jon (Margaret Ruf) Hirsh of Hartford, WI; David (Kay) Hirsch of Waukesha, WI; Andrew (Theresa) Hirsch of Platteville; 17 grandchildren, Travis Benn, Christine Feehan, Korrin, Amie, and Mike Stark, Cassandra, Tristan, Anna, Emily, Christina, Steven, Brittany, and Alexandra Hirsch; Jaxin Mackinruf and Sydney Ruf-Wong; Brandon and Cameron Brant; three great-grandchildren, Zoey Benn; and Adalyn and Evelyn Meyers; his adopted “Bros” Willie Allen and Curt Myrick; plus many nieces and nephews and dear friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Anna Armstrong, Kathryn Savoldelli, and Helen Ingram; brothers, William, Charles, and Orville Stark; and his first wife Betty (Piddington) Stark.