Shirley Starnes

Shirley A. Starnes May 24, 1935 - April 1, 2016 Shirley A. Starnes age 80, peacefully passed away on Friday, April 1, 2016 surrounded by her loving family. She is survived by her daughters, Riki Starnes and Kelly (Abelardo) Pina; grandchildren, Ky (fiance, Kyla Kuta) Starnes, Samuel (Samantha) Musgrave, Lucas Musgrave and Gabriel Hernandez; great grandchildren, Alaina and Eleanor Musgrave and sisters, Vicki Westphal and Shelly Westphal. Preceded in death by her husband, Don A. Starnes and brothers, Dennis Shelton and Clark Hansen. Shirley was born on May 24, 1935 to Marvin and Anna Shelton who preceded her in death. She met Don A. Starnes in Lebanon, MO. The two wed on October 18, 1952 and shared 52 years together before they were parted by his death in 2005. Together they raised two daughters in LaPorte, IN who blessed them with four grandsons. She retired from John Hancock Fruit Farm with many years of service. She was involved in the production of the holiday classic 'Prancer' that was filmed on the farm. Shirley loved to paint and taught Tole painting. In her spare time, she enjoyed reading trashy romance novels. She had a wicked sense of humor. Most of all, she enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren whom affectionately called her 'Yaya'. Without a doubt, she molded her grandchildren into the people that they are today. Shirley was content to just sit on her porch with a good book watching the birds. She crocheted afghans, collected elephants and was a delight to be around. Her colorful vocabulary and her love of family made her one of a kind. She was the life of the party. Shirley was a loving daughter, wife, mother and grandmother and will truly be missed by all whose lives she touched. A Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, April 5, 2016 at 7:00 PM at Haverstock Funeral Home and Cremation Service 602 Maple Avenue LaPorte, IN with Ven. Franklin Endres + officiating. Friends are invited to meet with the family on Tuesday from 4:00 PM until time of service at the funeral chapel. Online condolences may be left at www.haverstockfuneralhome.com To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Shirley A. Starnes please visit our Sympathy Store.