Louis Leon Stark, born Dec. 20, 1924, in Petoskey, as the eldest son of Viola Eppler and Louis F. Stark, passed into eternal rest Feb. 15, 2013, after a courageous struggle with serious illness.

Louis graduated from Petoskey High, class of 1943. His life consisted of many facets. As a teenager he worked on his uncle's farm and later in another uncle's auto dealership as a mechanic. Louis was a proud American working in a bomber plant during World War II. He drove a city bus, a school bus route and a route for Michigan Bread Co. He owned and operated a motel in Traverse City.

He and his family moved to Florida in 1959 and bought a gift and citrus shipping business in Lauderdale by the Sea, where he also became assistant fire chief. Later, he and his brother, Lyle, developed property named Vantage View in Petoskey.

He was of the Presbyterian faith and baptized in the Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Fort Lauderdale and a former member of the Elks and Eagles while living in Arizona. He enjoyed many years of golfing, traveling and watching sports on TV.

He was predeceased by his parents, Viola and Louis Stark; his first wife, Patricia Marie; and an infant son, Ronny Edward; his second wife, Elaine Bodnar; sister, Carol (Art) Foster; brother, Don (Joan) Stark.

He is survived by his wife, Ramona; daughters, Jacki Binko and Julie (Mark) Lindsey; son, Louis Victor (Sabra) Stark; stepdaughters, Cindi (Kerby) Glenn, Sylvia Pennock, and Lou Ann Vercout; grandchildren, Rick and Ron Stark, John Henry (Mindy) Binko Jr., Autumn Sanders, Kimberly Hackl, Shane Jackson, Tiffany Glass, Stephanie Borgman; great-grandchildren, Hadley and John Henry Binko III, Leyton, Tyler and Robert Stark, Lola Borgman, Olivia and Parker Sanders, Skye Glass, Siena Hackl; sisters, Doris (James) Gibson and Betty (Don) Foster; brother, Lyle Stark; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

The best of men, the kindest of men, and yet a man of such admirable character, a heart that never hardened, a temper that never tired, and a touch that never hurt. — Charles Dickens

A memorial gathering will take place at the Stone Funeral Home in Petoskey on March 8th from 4-6pm.

The family suggests memorial donations be made in his memory to Hospice of Palm Beach County, 5300 East Ave., West Palm Beach, Fla. 33407.