James O. Starn

James O. Starn, 74, was president of Starn Tool & Manufacturing Co. of Meadville.

Starn, of Meadville, died Friday, August 26, 1994, at Meadville Medical Center following a period of declining health.

He was born in Doylestown, OH, December 2, 1919, a son of William J. and Grace Marie Baker Starn.  He married Doris Hills Battin, December 12, 1981.  She survives.

He moved to Meadville in 1938 and was a 1940 graduate of Meadville High School.  Following graduation, he returned to Ohio and enlisted in the US Army, joining the 37th Armored Division Co. M. 145th Infantry and served  three years.  He re-enlisted as a 2nd lieutenant and served 2 1/2 years, seeing action in the South Pacific, receiving a Bronze Star for Valor on New Georgia and a Silver Star for gallantry in the Philippines.  He was discharged in 1946 as a captian.

He returned to Meadville and worked various jobs including as a buyer for Talon Inc. for two years and completed the company's tool and die apprentice program.  He then joined his brother, Gleason, in Starn Tool & Manufacuting Co. and became president in 1965 when it incorporated.  He became sole owner of the corporation in 1969 and retired in 1992.

He was an avid golfer and also enjoyed bowling and playing softball in the City League.  He was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Masonic Lodge 408, Elks Lodge 219, Eagles Aerie 429, Taylor Hose and was a member and past president of the Country Club, all of Meadville.  He was a member of Scottish Rite Bodies of Erie and the Crawford County Shrine Club.  He was a life-member of Zem Zem Shrine Temple of Erie.

Survivors, in addition to his wife, include a daughter, Mrs. William (Susan) Woodring of Boundbrook, NJ; two sons, William E. Starn of Meadville and J. David Starn of Washington, DC; four stepdaughters, Mrs. Michael (Kimberly) Rivoli, Mrs. James (Pamela) Slingerland, Mrs. Charles (Robyn) Bertino and Mrs. James (Laurie) Irene, all of Rochester, NY; six grandchildren; eight stepgrandchildren and a brother, Fred Starn of Berea, OH.

He was preceded in death by an infant son, James Michael Starn; two brothers, Gleason Starn and Clarence Starn and three sisters, June, Florence and Gertrude.

Services were held at Waid Funeral Home.

Interment was in Roselawn Memorial Gardens.