Dale F. Starr

Dale Franklin Starr was born November 11, 1924 to William Henry and Maude Starr in Hubble, Nebraska. Dale spent his childhood on the family farm and attended grade school at the country school east of Hubble. He attended Hubble High School and completed his education by attending the Chillicothe Business School.

Dale F. Starr is a WWII veteran, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1942 to 1946. He acquired the rank of Sergeant and served as Secretary and body guard to two Marine generals, General Smith and General Schmidt, while on board the Rocky Mount Battleship in the Pacific. After the end of WWII, Sergeant Starr joined the Korean conflict until his honorable discharge in 1946.

Dale married Donna Eileen Fisbeck on September 21, 1947, at the First Presbyterian Church in Hebron, Nebraska. To this union two sons were born, Ronald Dale Starr and Kipp Alan Starr. The young couple made their home in Fairbury, Nebraska until they moved to Lincoln, Nebraska, where Dale became a U.S. Marine recruiter from 1950 to 1952.

Dale began his long career as an insurance agent in Fairbury, Nebraska upon his return to Fairbury in 1952, when he joined Bachorich-Bonham-Lock Agency. The agency was renamed Bonham-Lock-Starr, when Dale became a partner. Star-Skidmore followed, and Starr Agency was formed in 1962. In 1964, Dale partnered with Stan Buckow to create Starr-Buckow Agency. Dale’s son, Ron, joined Starr-Buckow in 1978.

Dale retired from Starr-Buckow in 1991. Upon retirement, Dale and Donna moved to Holiday Island, Arkansas, where they lived until their return to Fairbury in 1995.

Dale also farmed in Fairbury with son, Kipp, and formed the Four Starr Ranch. From 1967 to 1986, they raised Angus cattle and raised and showed APHA paint horses.

During his long career as a business man in Fairbury, Dale was actively involved with the community and belonged to many community organizations. He was a devoted member of the Fairbury Kiwanis, served as president of the Fairbury Chamber of Commerce and the Fairbury Country Club, and was a member of the Fairbury Industrial Board and the Hospital Board. Dale and family attended the First Presbyterian Church in Fairbury.

Dale was a baseball player and sports enthusiast. Dale began coaching the Kiwanis Little League while his sons were playing and continued to coach Little League for eight years. He attended many Fairbury sports events and was a devoted fan and watched many sports in which his grandchildren and great grandchildren participated.

Dale’s hobbies were hunting, fishing, and golfing. He was above all a devoted family man and enjoyed family gatherings and outings.

Survivors are wife, Donna, sons, Ron (Teresa J.) Starr and Kipp (Mary) Starr. Grandchildren, Brooke (Barry) Schwab, Joshua (Jody) Starr, Jered Starr, and Reid (Lacey) Starr of Fairbury and Brent (Lois) Starr, and Jordan (Monte) Bonin of Omaha. Great grandchildren, Evangeline and Isadora Schwab, Dylan, Blake, Benjamin, Samantha, Peyton, and Parker Starr of Fairbury, and Jack, Henry, and Neve Starr, and Mira and Hadley Bonin of Omaha.

The Funeral service will be Saturday, April 8, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. at the Presbyterian Church in Fairbury with Pastor Tom Osborne officiating. Memorials will go to the Presbyterian Church or the Bonham Theatre. Burial will be at a later date. Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.