John William Starnes, 90, died March 17, 2024 at Nixa Nursing and Rehab in Nixa, Missouri. John was born March 30, 1933 to LeRoy and Lucy Logan Starnes. John was one of 12 children. He lived the first few years in Purdy, Missouri. Later on his family moved to Ozark, Missouri. John left home at the age of 13; he went to Nebraska, where he worked as a farm hand for an older couple. John moved back to Ozark around the age of 20.
John soon met his future wife; Dovie Lee Perkins of Reeds Springs, Missouri. They were married on May 25, 1956. To this union was born four children: Beverly, Shirley, Johnnie, Joseph. John and Dovie lived in Ozark at “the Farm” which was owned by the Rahm family. John ran the farm by working dairy and beef cattle. He stayed on the Farm until the early 1990s when he divorced and moved to Carrollton, Missouri. This is where John met a wonderful lady Grace Jenson and was his life partner. John stayed in Carrollton until 2020, when he fell sick and had to move back to Ozark. At this time he moved in with his son Johnnie and his family. In late 2023 John got worse and had to move to Nixa, where he passed.
John is survived by his four children: Beverly and husband Tom Talty of Billings, Missouri; Shirley and husband John Powelson of Nianqua; Johnnie and wife Melissa Starnes of Ozark; Joseph Starnes of Ozark. His ten Grandchildren: Lacey and husband Chuck Powell of Ozark; LeAnn and husband John Carl Mitchell of Mnt. Grove, Missouri; Victoria Jones of Nashville, TN; Michael Barnett of Ozark; Hillary Talty of Springfield, Missouri; Hannah Breslawski and husband Joseph of New York; Joseph William Starnes of Ozark; Arah Starnes of Ozark; Tucker and wife Karlee Starnes of Sparta, Missouri, and Matthew Talty of Springfield. His twelve Great Grandchildren: Codey Powell of Murray KT; Jeremiah Barnett of Mnt. Grove; Colton Powell of Ozark; Kade Starnes of Sparta; Sidney, Jamie, Eli, Emerson, and Emberlynn Mitchell of Mnt. Grove, Bradley, Joey, and Theodore Breslawski, of Rochester, New York.
John was preceded in death by: His parents, four sisters, three brothers, one daughter-in-law, one great granddaughter Gracelynn, 4 great grandbabies, and Grace Jenson.
Visitation took place from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Thursday, March 21, in Adams Funeral Home, Ozark. The Funeral Service followed at 12:00 noon, with Pastor Jon Crum and grandson John Carl Mitchell officiating. Following the funeral, burial will be in Selmore Cemetery, Ozark.