John David Starkey

John David Starkey, 58, went to his heavenly home on Jan. 4, 2009.

John was born to Carylos and Estelle (Griffin) Starkey on Oct. 22, 1950, in Parkersburg. He graduated from Belpre High School in 1968 and Ohio University in 1973. During the course of his 30-year career, he taught English, title reading and special education for the Wolf Creek Local School District. John prided himself in his ability to teach children how to read.

On June 11, 1976, John married Jeanette Bonnette. They made their home in Waterford, Ohio, where they raised their two children, Joe (Katie) Starkey and Janis (Greg) Doak. He was then blessed with two grandchildren, Taylor Starkey and Braun Doak.

John enjoyed gardening and sharing his harvest with neighbors. He also enjoyed training beagle dogs and rabbit hunting with his friends.

He is survived by his parents; wife; children; grandchildren; his brother, Richard (Mary) Starkey; sister, Kathy (Roger) Bonnette; brother-in-law, Lowell (Charlene) Bonnette; brother-in-law, Edwin; sister-in-law, Ann (Edward) Husarik; six nieces; one nephew; two great-nieces; and five great-nephews. He is also survived by his mother-in-law, Lorraine Bonnette.

He attended the First Church of the Nazerene in Waterford and the Beverly United Methodist Church.

Services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Beverly United Methodist Church. Visitation is from 2-4 and 6-9 p.m. today at McCurdy Funeral Home, Beverly. Burial will be at the Waterford Cemetary.

Donations may be made to Waterford Elementary Library (P.O. Box 45, Waterford, OH 45786), or Marietta Memorial Hospice (210 North Seventh St., Marietta, OH 45750).