Louis Rodhouse Stark, 95, of Fairview Heights, IL, passed away peacefully on December 4th, 2024. A beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Louis lived a life dedicated to the service of his family, neighbors, and community.
Louis was born to William Stark and Elizabeth Rodhouse on March 7, 1929, in New Franklin, Mo. After being raised on farms in Missouri, Iowa, and Illinois with his two brothers, Louis graduated from Edina Public School and attended the University of Missouri, Columbia where he graduated with a degree in engineering and was part of the marching band.
During his years at Mizzou, he met his wife, Fannie, whom he married on September 2, 1951. Immediately after graduation, Louis accepted a position with Monsanto in St. Louis, MO where he worked for 40 years as a chemical engineer before retiring in 1991.
Throughout his life, Louis was involved with several civic societies and community organizations. While raising his children, Louis served many years as an Assistant Scoutmaster to Troop 510. He was a member of Mizzou Alumni associations and chemical engineering fraternities.
After retirement, he began his second career as an amateur horticulturist by volunteering at the Missouri Botanical Gardens several times each week for over 30 years. He enjoyed camping and sailing, was a ham radio enthusiast, and later in life participated in a handbell choir. Louis was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of East St. Louis, then the First United Presbyterian Church of Belleville, IL where he served in many capacities since the 1950s.
Mr. Stark was preceded in death by his:
- Parents: William Stark and Elizabeth, nee Rodhouse, Stark
- Brothers
- James Stark
- Robert Stark
- Wife: Fannie, nee Hanchett, Stark
- Daughter: Nancy (Ron), nee Stark, Bonica
Louis leaves behind his:
- Three sons
- Dr. Mark (Karla) Stark of Fernandina Beach, FL
- Paul (Kris) Stark of St. Louis, MO
- Timothy (Dawn) Stark of Sarasota, FL
- Thirteen grandchildren
- Kathleen Safi
- Adam Stark
- Samuel Stark
- Martin Bonica
- Dorothy Bonica
- Kathryn Wiggins
- Wayne Arment
- Greg Arment
- Lydia Stark
- Michael Stark
- Isabelle Stark
- Dennis Stark
- Rebekah Stark
- Twelve great-grandchildren
- Cyrus Safi
- Maryam Safi
- Kayvan Safi
- Madelyn Stark
- James Stark
- Luke Stark
- Devon Morrow
- Wybie Wiggins
- Dominik Arment
- Jasper Hamilton
- Mitchell Wiggins
- Gauge Arment
Memorials: Memorials may be made to the Missouri Botanical Garden.
Visitation: Friends may call from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, December 14, 2024, at Kurrus Funeral Home, 1773 Frank Scott Parkway West, Belleville, IL 62223
Funeral: Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, December 14, 2024, at Kurrus Funeral Home with the Rev. Rob Dyer officiating. Burial will be in Lake View Memorial Gardens, Fairview Heights, IL.
