Janet L. C. Starkey

1941 - 2025

Ashville Janet Louise Starkey, age 84, of Ashville, Ohio, passed away unexpectedly at her residence on November 14, 2025. She was born on September 13, 1941, in Chillicothe, Ohio, to the late Paul Barnes and Elizabeth Leah (Parks) Chester. Jan was a graduate of Williamsport High School Class of '59 and then attended Columbus Business University in 1960 where she completed a two-year program in one year. She had been the Society Editor for the Circleville Herald. In 1962 she married her high school sweetheart, Ken and became a Navy wife, which she dearly loved. They lived in New London, CT, Virginia Beach, Newport News and Charleston, SC before coming back home to Ohio. Jan at her young age was regarded as a mentor to many sailors' wives and was the go-to for advice.

When Ken worked for IBM, he would have to leave home at the drop of a hat for 5 weeks of classes and she would keep the household running, raising Keith and Crystal. She was a mother, Sunday school teacher, cub scout leader, an advisor to the Cub Master (Ken), a room mother, a supportive wife and cheerleader. Her family was the love of her life, and she was very proud of them, at the top of the list were her granddaughters. She attended Village Chapel, loved the beach, especially the Outer Banks with her family making sure they had plenty to eat. She would say her four loves, in order were, Faith in Christ, Cats, Elvis Presley, and Family.

She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Kenneth E. Starkey; children, Keith (Laura) Starkey of Reynoldsburg and Crystal (Chris) Clarke of Circleville; 2 granddaughters, Ally and Jessie Starkey; sister-in-law, like a sister, Brenda (Ruben) Fernandez; brother-in-law Andrew (Janet) Starkey; and of course, her cats, Patches and Little Bit.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, at the Oliver-Cheek Funeral Home, 420 West Main St. Ashville from 11:00 a.m. until the time of Service at 1:00 p.m. with Pastor Kevin Pees officiating. Interment will take place at Forest Cemetery, Circleville, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to IFCJ, International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, P.O. Box 96105 Washington, DC 20090-6105 or donate online at www.ifcj.org or to Village Chapel Church, 30 Viking Way, Ashville, 43103. Online condolences to olivercheekfuneralhome.com Janet L. Starkey