Stark, Francis Melvin

Francis Melvin Stark, 81, of Cedar Rapids died peacefully, Wednesday, July 28, 2010 at his home with his family beside him. Services: 10 a.m., Saturday at St. Jude Catholic Church by the Rev. Mark Reasoner. Burial: St. Joseph Cemetery with military honors by VFW #788. Friends may visit today from 4 to 7 p.m. at Teahen Funeral Home, and Saturday after 9 a.m., at the church.

Survivors include eight children and stepchildren, Sandy (Tuck) Erickson of Tucson, Ariz., Susan Jeffrey of Cedar Rapids, Darby (Mike) Murray of Solon, Dan Rankin (Beth) of Front Royal, Va., Michael A. (Pauline) Stark of Bettendorf, Deb (Jim) Palmer of Cedar Rapids, Kathy (Harry) Lofton of Memphis, Tenn., and Stan (Kim) Stark of Carlsbad, Calif.; 17 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and a sister, Geraldine Drees.

His wife, Jo Anne, and sisters, Iola Milota and Hazel Thoman, preceded Mel in death.

He was born Nov. 7, 1928 in Cedar Rapids, the son of Francis F. and Minnie Cronk Stark. He married Jo Anne Fox on Aug. 8, 1958. They renewed their vows at St. Jude Catholic Church on April 18, 1993. Mel began farming in his early years and retired from real estate after many years. He was very involved with softball most of his life and is a member of the Iowa Softball Hall of Fame.

Mel and his sense of humor will be missed by many.

Instead of flowers memorials may be directed to the American Heart Association.

Online condolences may be left for the family at