Carolyn S. Starkey

Carolyn Sue Starkey, 68, of Otterbein, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, December 2, 2025. It was unexpected to those who loved her, but known to the Lord.

Carolyn was born April 4, 1957, in Columbus, OH, to the late Edwin and Frances (Hull) Postle. She was the youngest of three children and grew up on their rural property in Delaware County, OH where she spent many hours enjoying the woods, creek, and prairie cultivated by her father. She always had a dog as her faithful companion.

Carolyn graduated from Olentangy High School in Delaware, OH in 1975. It was during this time that a friend invited her to a high school Bible study. There she understood the gospel for the first time and gave her heart to the Lord. Her life was forever changed.

Carolyn attended Grace College in Winona Lake, IN for two years, then transferred to Ohio State University in Columbus where she studied landscape horticulture. She exhibited a lifelong love of plants and animals which she applied to every home where she lived, creating beautiful gardens and flowerbeds, and encouraging the presence of wildlife. Carolyn saw God's creative hand in the natural beauty that surrounded her and felt closest to Him when she was outdoors.

Carolyn is survived by her husband, John M. Starkey, the love of her life and her best friend. They were married on August 16, 1980 in Worthington, OH.They moved to Indiana in 1983 and together they built a loving home, a family, and a legacy that will impact generations. Her four children were her greatest joy and proudest achievement. She homeschooled each one through high school and was their greatest champion in adulthood. She spent hours in prayer for each of them and they were never far from her thoughts.

Together, she and John attended the Upper Room Christian Fellowship in West Lafayette, IN, where Carolyn led several ladies Bible studies and helped organize the Operation Christmas Child shoebox ministry each year. She loved to worship the Lord together with her church family.

Carolyn often testified of the Lord's great faithfulness to her throughout her life. In every difficult situation, He never abandoned her and she could recognize His gracious hand. In the words of her husband, "Carolyn was an optimist, an encourager. She was sensitive and humble. She had unwavering faith. She was unafraid to be vulnerable; in fact, the first thing I noticed about her is that she could laugh at herself. She was sincere, honest and unpretentious. She was quick to seek reconciliation. She was not afraid to speak the truth, but always from a heart of love." Her children express how generous she was toward them, often giving them thoughtful and practical gifts, sending encouraging words and offering her helpful wisdom. She was always there to listen to their cares and never expressed judgment, only love. She loved to study God's Word and would spend hours with her Bible and a notebook. She prayed for many people faithfully throughout her life, most especially for her children and grandchildren. She was a steady, faithful, comforting presence in all of our lives. We don't know how to do life without you, Mom, and we love you so much.

Surviving along with her husband are her daughter Laura B. Starkey of West Lafayette; son Benjamin J. (Brittiany) Starkey of Powell, WY and their children, Ruth, Andrew, Joshua, and Nathan; daughter Rebecca J. Starkey; and daughter Eliana H. Starkey both of Otterbein.

Also surviving are her brothers Robert (Sue) Postle of Powell, OH and Frank Postle of Kettering, OH, and many nieces and nephews.

There will be a private service with interment at Asbury Cemetery in West Lafayette on Friday, December 12.

A celebration of life will be at 1:00 pm on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at Upper Room Christian Fellowship, 2234 Indian Trail Drive, West Lafayette, IN. All are invited.