Mary F. Stark

Mary F. Stark, a resident of the Cadillac, MI area since 1957 died Sunday, February 24, 2019 hours before the storm that has ravaged the country reached Michigan as a blizzard. Mary was born September 28, 1947 in Bad Axe, Michigan to Cash J. Cook and Dolores Cook-Rambo. Her father preceded her in death in June 1987 and her mother just 7 month ago in July 2018. While her parents moved back to Bad Axe in 1964, Mary stayed in Cadillac her Senior year to graduate from Cadillac High School in 1965. Mary went on for further education as a bookkeeper. After meeting David V. Stark at her father's Phillips 66 station in Cadillac, they married on August 13, 1966 in Bad Axe. They settled in Cadillac and thus began their 52 years together. They managed Robo Carwash and were founding members of the Cadillac Area Rolling Relics (CARR Club). Mary most enjoyed being around and interacting with people. This was evident in her many varied professions over the years. Mary worked at Hillcrest Restaurant, Ace Hardware, Moore Paint, St. John's Furniture Company, Rempco, Probate Court and Council on Aging. Following in her father's musical footsteps, Mary started as a church organist at age 11 and continued in music ministry for the next 40 years, most of those years at St. Ann/St. Edward. In her last hours she directed her beloved choir as she listened to the CD they together produced, With a Song. She continued to create the church bulletin after retiring from St. Ann. In 1998 Mary became owner of Wexford Wood Workings. This labor of love united her with many in the community and most especially those who worked with and for her there. In a loving gesture to Mary they built her casket, as she has always wished to have made. Mary fought for what she believed! This was most notable in her political views. She spent many years attending countless meetings attempting to straighten out Wexford County and Haring Township. She strived to affect change through her work with the Republican Party, as Wexford County Commissioner, and Haring Township Supervisor. Mary was involved in many volunteer endeavors over the years--most notably the Wexford County Historical Society, After 26 Depot, and most recently a valiant attempt to save the Octagonal Barn at the Wexford County Fair Grounds. She would want you to know this project still needs fighting for to save it. She created many special memories with her dear friends, Mary Zakrajsek, Sandy Harris, and the late Peggy Cook as well as her Sunday morning breakfast group. While Mary has crossed Over the Rainbow she is survived by her husband and her children Chantelle and Jim Kroll of Grand Rapids Mi and Brad and Amy Stark of Tustin Mi. She is also survived by her grandchildren (her very favorite Munchkins) Matthew and Adam Kroll and Kay-Leigh, Carter and Seth Stark. She is also survived by her siblings Cash J. Cook Jr. of Kalkaska, MI and Barbara Partaka of Bad Axe, MI; Brother-in-law's Gene Stark and Jim Stark, Sister-in-laws Barbara Hankins and Annie (Ruth Ann) Stark as well as many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by father and mother in law, George and Ethel Ruth Stark, step-father Peter Rambo, sister-in-law Patsy Stark, brothers-in-law Dale Hankins and Willy Auda. Visitation will be held on Sunday, March 3 from 4-8 pm with scripture service at 7:30 pm at Peterson Funeral & Cremation Services in Cadillac. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, March 4, 2019 at 11:00 am at St Ann Church with Fr. Michael Janowski as celebrant, with visitation on hour prior. A luncheon will follow in the Parish Hall. Burial will take place at Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Cadillac on a later date. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to a charity of your choosing. An online guestbook is available at www.petersonfh.com.

Mary F. Stark

September 28, 1947 - February 24, 2019