Robert Lee Starks, Sr., age 73, of Bartow, died Saturday, December 16, 2006, at his home in Bartow.

Born June 24, 1933, at Thornwood, he was a son of the late Robert Allen and Carrie Mae Vandevender Starks.

Mr. Starks was of the Pentecostal Faith.ﾠ He was a sawmill owner and operator, and wasﾠ aﾠ Unitedﾠ Statesﾠ Army Veteran.

Preceding him in death were his son, Robert Lee Starks, Jr., four sisters, seven brothers, and his parents.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Janet Gainer Starks; three daughters, Mary Peck, of Bartow, Debra Rexrode and Karen Allen, both of Avoca, Michigan; two sons, Allen Gainer, of Avoca, Michigan, and Thomas Starks, of Bartow; five sisters, Iona Albright, of Reisterstown, Maryland, Rosie Crites, of Smithsville, Wilma Jolley, of Bartow, Martha Wisner, of Avoca, Michigan, and Nealie Arbaugh, of Cherry Grove; two brothers, Russell Starks, of Avoca, Michigan, and Raymond Starks, of Jeddo, Michigan; fifteen grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were Wednesday afternoon at Wallace & Wallace Funeral Home in Arbovale by the Rev. George Bassford and the Rev. Charles Herron.ﾠ Burial with military graveside rites was in Starks Cemetery.