Donna Jean Stark

After a fierce battle with cancer that spanned over 15 years, Donna J. Stark, a lifelong resident of Girard was called home on Friday, February 9th to be with her heavenly Father. Donna had a deep and abiding faith and loved the Lord with all her heart. There is no doubt that Donna is at peace and knowing a joy with the Lord that is beyond our comprehension. Donna had a huge compassionate heart that had a great capacity to love. She will be so dearly missed by her family and friends who will truly cherish the special memories of happy times spent with Donna. Donna was born July 15, 1949, the second child of Kenneth W. and Vergil L. (Call) Stark, who are deceased. She leaves behind her beloved sisters, Karen L. (Frank) Beveridge, Beth Ann (Jim) Monroe and her dear brother, Mark Stark, her sister-in-law Susan Stark and brother-in-law Keith Evans. Donna adored her nieces and nephews and sadly leaves behind, Geoffrey (Andrea) Evans, Matthew (Julie) Evans, Shawn and Dorian Monroe, Christopher (Amanda) Stark, and Sarah (Jeff) Fishel. Donna treasured her times with her great nieces, Scarlett and Carmen Fishel, Grace Evans, Eleanor Stark, and looked forward to meeting Baby Stark in May. She will be so truly missed by her best friend since 8th grade, Sarah Korb. After graduating from Girard High School, Donna worked many years at Sears before she entered Hannah Mullins School of Nursing, where she earned her LPN degree in 1979. Donna was such a caring, compassionate nurse who especially loved working with young children and the elderly. She worked at Salem Community Hospital for 25 years until she retired in October 2004. She then went to work at Scope Senior Care Center until they closed in 2012. Donna was a lifelong member of Girard First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). She was active in all aspects of the church attending youth group and church camp as a child and then becoming the CYF (Christian Youth Fellowship) leader as an adult and attending Adult Conference annually. She was a member of the Missions board at First Christian and ran the food pantry for many years. Donna also spearheaded mission trips both for youth and adults. She enjoyed traveling and was an excellent navigator. Donna was an avid sports fan of all Cleveland teams and Ohio State football and basketball. She enjoyed going to the Girard Multi-Generation Center and was a member of the Mineral Ridge Historical Society. She will be missed and fondly remembered by all who were blessed to know her. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, February 13th, 11:00 AM at First Christian Church in Girard. The family will receive relatives and friends on Monday from 5-7 PM at Blackstone Funeral Home in Girard. She will be laid to rest at Girard City Cemetery. The family requests any memorial contributions be made to the First Christian Church Memorial Fund in memory of Donna. Visit www.blackstonefuneralhome.com to view this obituary and to send any condolences to the family.