Bobby Vernon Starnes

Bobby (Bob) Vernon Starnes, age 94 of Crawfordsville, passed away on Saturday, July 31, 2021, at Wellbrooke of Crawfordsville. He was born at home outside Browns Valley, Indiana, on March 15, 1927, to the late M. Vernon & Elsie (Hardee) Starnes.

Bob was drafted into the United States Army during his junior year of high school and proudly served his country in Germany during World War II. Upon his return from war, he finished high school and graduated from Waveland High School in 1947. On June 13, 1953, he married the love of his life, Mary "Jane" Wheeler. He worked at R.R. Donnelly as a pressman for 33 years.

Bob had a kind, gentle spirit and loved unconditionally, always seeing the good in everyone. A man of few words, he was completely devoted to his wife and kids and later to their spouses. He loved cars, sports, traveling, dancing, following his kids and grandkids in their sports, and just heading out in the car with Jane with no destination in mind. Always in search of good restaurants, he was quick to tell his kids about the ones he thought they too would enjoy. Bob also loved his grandchildren and their children, finding joy in any time spent with them for as long as he was able.

Bob is survived by his wife of 68 years, Jane Starnes; five children: Greg (Robin) Starnes, Jim (Beth) Starnes, Linda (Butch) Ridge, Brian (Luann) Starnes, and Paula (David) Rivers; a sister, Donna Pappas; 14 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren and several close in-laws. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Mont, Richard, Earl, and Harold; sisters, Eileen Smith, Margaret Campbell, Mary DeWitt, Lora Farris, Betty Wing, and many close in-laws.

Visitation will be at Sanders Priebe Funeral Care, 315 S Washington St, in Crawfordsville on Saturday, August 7th from 10:00am till the time of the funeral service at 11:00am with grandson Seth Nunan and Pastor Steve Whicker officiating. Due to the surge of Covid, the family politely requests the use of masks. They will be provided. The service will be live-streamed and recorded and can be viewed on his obituary page at www.sandersfuneralcare.com. Burial will follow at Indian Creek Hill Cemetery. Share memories and condolences online at www.sandersfuneralcare.com