Charley Edward Starnes, 74 of Keosauqua passed away on Sunday January 8, 2023 at Van Buren County Hospital in Keosauqua. In accordance with his wishes his body has been cremated. Visitation will open at 2:00PM with the family present form 5:00 to 7:00PM on Thursday January 12, 2023 at Pedrick Funeral Home, Keosauqua. A memorial service will be at 11:00AM on Friday January 13, 2023 at Pedrick Funeral Home with Larry Shipley officiating. Military honors by Beer-Barker Post No. 113 American Legion will be at the funeral home following the service. Memorials in Charley’s honor may be left at the funeral home or mailed to the family at P.O. Box 412, Keosauqua, IA 52565 with the memorial to be determined at a later date. Online condolences may be left at www.cranstonfamilyfuneralhome.com.
Charley was born August 2, 1948 in his childhood home in Keosauqua to Winford and Lois Scotton Starnes. He lived in Keosauqua all his life and graduated from Van Buren High School in 1966. After graduation Charley started working at the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant in Middletown, IA. He joined the Army in 1968 and served during the Vietnam War as a member of the 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry of the 101st Airborne Division. While taking part in Operation Apache Snow, known as the Battle of Hamburger Hill, he was injured on the fifth day (the hill was captured on the 10th day) and then was moved to Japan to recover. He then returned to Keosauqua and married the love of his life, Gloria Muntz on July 17, 1971 in Bonaparte and shortly after they began establishing their family. Charley continued to work at the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant until he had to take medical retirement due to shrapnel in his shoulder after 37 years. Charley could often be found down by the river at his camp site fishing with his brother Winn, passing down his love of fishing and the Des Moines River to his grandkids, and enjoying family cookouts. He was a devoted fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes, New York Yankees and Green Bay Packers, but most of all he loved spending time with his family. Charley was an avid wrestler in his early years in high school and this continued into his Army career where he competed in a service wrestling tournament in Vietnam. He was one of 55 young men entered in the 159 lb. competition where he took 7th place. During this time, Charley was also voted “Soldier of the Month” by his company.
Left to cherish his memory and share his story are his wife, Gloria Starnes of Keosauqua, a son Scotton Starnes (Michelle) of Pleasantville, a daughter, Emily Starnes of Keosauqua, two brothers, Winford Starnes (Diane Carr) and Wilson Starnes (Pat), two sisters-in-law, Teresa Graham (John Wallerich) and Stacey Muntz, four brothers-in law, Robert Muntz, Raymond Muntz (Blanche), Carl Muntz (Michael Bruce) and Kenny Muntz (Veronica), Grandchildren Spencer and Sofia Hobbs, Lauren and Lindsey Starnes, Madison Jenkins and Charley Scotton Starnes, his “first grandchild” Miles Arnold, and several nieces and nephews and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Barbara Huddleston and in laws Bennie and Bernie Muntz.
If you have some favorite memories or stories to share about Charley the family asks that you email them to memoriesofcharley@gmail.com for a family keepsake.
