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Donald Starr Obituary
LIMA --Donald "Don" Nicholas Starr, age 75, passed away in Lima, Ohio on Thursday, January 23rd, 2025 after battling cancer and dementia.
Don was born in Wooster on April 30, 1949 to Robert Nicholas and Mary Priscilla (nee Shamp) and was the oldest of their 6 children. He graduated from Lima Shawnee High School in 1967 and left home at 18 years old to enlist in the United States Air Force. He served our country as a Medical Administrator during active duty and reserves, and retired in 2001. Don was awarded the Vietnam Service medal, Air Force Commendation medal, and the Meritorious Service medal, among others.
Don graduated from The Ohio State University in 1976 with a B.S. in Psychology and worked for 28 years for the state of Ohio ODNR and EPA. He left the State to run his own business, a PakMail location in Dublin, Ohio.
During his retirement Don frequently left his home in Bellefontaine, Ohio to take extended road trips in his airstream, staying at military bases and national parks around the country. Don loved his mastiffs Bella and, later, Roxy, and enjoyed kayaking, fishing, watching OSU football games, and going to the Y to work out and swim. He was a dedicated blood donor to the Red Cross and donated over 10 gallons of blood during his lifetime. His last few years were filled with love in his role as paw-paw to his two grandsons (born to son David and Alexandra).
Don was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his two sons Jacob (Brittni) and David (Alexandra); grandsons Kingston and Kassian; brothers Nick (Julie) and Bob (Cheryl) and sisters Cindy, Sandy, and Deborah; loving nieces and nephews; and many other family members and friends.
Loved ones will gather from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM on Sunday, January 26, 2025 at Chiles-Laman Funeral & Cremation Services, Shawnee Chapel, where a wake service will be held at 6:00 PM.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, January 27, 2025 at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 2200 W. Elm Street, Lima, where the family will receive friends for one hour before the Mass at the church.
Interment will immediately follow the Mass in Woodlawn Cemetery, where VFW Post 1275 will perform final military honors.
Memorial donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project at woundedwarriorproject.org.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Donald Starr
3 Entries
Albert Green
July 6, 2025
My name is Albert Green. Know as Al. I served two USAF assignments with Don at Champion AB, Alaska in 1968-1969 and at Duluth IAP, Minnesota into the early seventies. We both served as supply specialists and in Duluth, I brought Don´s 1971 Ford Mustang. Don was a great friend in those two assignments and very sorry he is no longer with us. Don took an assignment to Vietnam and I later went to Germany. I spoke about him this Fourth of July and then decided to check on his whereabouts, only to learn his passing. My condolences to his family.
Randy and Kathy Zeisler
January 28, 2025
Our heartfelt condolences to Don's family. Don was always friendly, helpful and humorous. His integrity was reassuring when dealing with difficult issues. Don will be sadly missed.
Linda Glorioso
January 28, 2025
Thoughts and prayers for family and friends.
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Memorial Events
for Donald Starr
Jan
26
Memorial Gathering
2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Chiles-Laman Funeral & Cremation Services - Shawnee1170 Shawnee Rd, Lima, OH 45805
Jan
26
Jan
27
Funeral services provided by:
Chiles-Laman Funeral & Cremation Services - Shawnee1170 Shawnee Rd, Lima, OH 45805
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