Blaine Stark

Blaine Stark was a tough man, who often lived a tough life, a hard life of hard work and service to his country. Hard as it was, Blaine was also given many blessings in his life, a life full of love. He was a proud veteran, a devoted father and grandfather, and a friend to many. But he was also a teacher, who taught us to shoulder our burdens with honor, humor and humility. The year was 1921, and America was still in celebration of its momentous victory in World War I, and beginning to rev up the Roaring Twenties. Prohibition was now in full effect, with the 18th Amendment ratified just a year earlier. The country was in the midst of a recession, yet there was a renewed sense of hope surrounding the nation in 1921, as America moved from the Industrial Age to a new, Progressive Era. In the little town of Green Valley, Wisconsin , Venus and Flora Stark had their own reasons for renewed hope, with the birth of a son. Blaine was born August 22, 1921, on a warm, muggy Monday, the baby of five children. Blaine joined older siblings Ruben, Lester, Nina, and Owen in the Stark home. His father was a well driller, who once struck gold in Wisconsin , but it was a hard life and the family didn't have much. The Starks lived in a house with no electricity or indoor plumbing, and everyone had to do their part to help make ends meet. The boys all did some logging growing up in Wisconsin, and Blaine made duck decoys with his brother Ruben, who was 15 years his elder. Blaine attended school through the fifth grade, before joining the workforce to help the family. His father hired him out to work at CCC and other farmers, helping drill oil wells. When he was just 10 years old, he was sent across the lake to live with Ruben and his Aunt Minnie in Nunica. As Blaine grew older, he also grew stronger, and when the darkening skies of World War II spread to our nation's shores, Blaine was drafted into service. As strong as he was, he was picked to serve in the 88th Infantry Division, the elite "Blue Devils," which were comprised mostly of draftees. Over the next three years of service, Blaine saw many of the war's "hotspots," including Italy, North Africa in Casablanca, and even Normandy . Blaine was wounded by shrapnel, and received the Purple Heart for his heroism and service to his country. When he was discharged from the service, Blaine returned to Nunica, and took a job at Norge, where his relatives worked. There he met a young woman named Roberta Fogg, who worked on the same assembly line as he did. The two began a romance, and were married in 1947. Soon Blaine was blessed with four children, Cindy in 1948, Lynn in 1950, Valerie in 1952 and son Jeffrey in 1954. He loved his children dearly, but his marriage to Roberta ended in divorce. It would not be the last time he would find love, however. Blaine loved to bowl, and played every chance he got. One day he met a lady named Mickey Spytma while bowling, and the two found sparks amid those strikes. They were both avid bowlers, and they got married. Mickey and Blaine became very active in the local Moose Lodge, where Mickey played in a Kitchen Band and Blaine ran the fish fries. Blaine continued to work at Norge until it closed, so he - fittingly enough - took a job at Brunswick , where he worked for a decade until he was laid off. He then worked at Alloy Tech in Grandville, where he ran a machine that made airplane parts and did floor work. He worked there for over 20 years, retiring at the age of 71. Mickey worked at Lakey Foundry until it closed, and then did custodial work. Blaine and Mickey enjoyed 27 years of marriage, until she sadly died of breast cancer in the early 1990s. Blaine 's son Jeff took her for her chemotherapy treatments during her five-year fight with the disease. But Blaine would find love again, when he married Margaret, a woman he had known for years. He and Margaret enjoyed many good times together, enjoying retirement by traveling to Missouri or having friends for dinner. They were also very active in the Moose Lodge. Sadly, Margaret died in 2003, after 10 years of marriage. Soon Blaine would find love again, however. He had known a wonderful woman named Jean for over 30 years, and like Blaine , Jean was a widow and a Moose member. Blaine moved in with her as they became so close. They never married, but Blaine had bought Jean a ring for Christmas. Blaine was blessed with many loves in his life, none greater than for his children and grandchildren. He shared his time with them, as well as his loves. He had a true passion for baseball (and always wanted to be a pro!), and coached their Little League teams. He also played on the Montague League for many years, and took care of the ball fields at Mona Lake Park . Blaine was also an expert hunter and fisherman, especially for Coho and smelt, and had his own fishing boat, too. He often hunted for food, and raised rabbits for food, also. Blaine shared his love of hunting and fishing with his kids and grandkids, too. He was very proud of his hunting, and his ability to live off the land. He always admired people who could make it on their own steam. Blaine was a very outgoing, personable man, a real joker who loved to get people's goat. He loved to strike up conversations with total strangers, and knew all the clerks at Wal-Mart, too. But that was Blaine . He didn't like to be alone, and loved to be around others, as long as he wasn't a burden. He never wanted to burden his children. Sadly, Blaine died February 18, 2006, after his health and his heart began to decline. He was a tough man who often lived a hard life, yet it was a life full of honor, humor and humility. Blaine was a decorated veteran, and a devoted father, grandfather and friend. He always admired those who made it on their own, just as we admired him. He will be greatly missed. Funeral: Wednesday February 22, 2006 1:pm at Clock Chapel in Muskegon with Pastor Sarah Samuelson officiating. A reception will follow in the Clock Family Center. Visitation will take place at Clock Funeral Home on Tuesday, February 21, 2006 from 7-9 p.m.