Marvin J. Starzyk

Marvin J. Starzyk was born on February 3, 1935, to John and Catherine (Brennan) Starzyk in Chicago, IL. He passed away peacefully at Wesley Willows in Rockford, IL on December 18, 2025. Marvin graduated from St. George High School in Evanston, IL in 1953, and from Loyola University with a B.S. in Bacteriology in 1957. He married Ann Marelli of Rockford in 1958 while continuing his studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, earning a PhD in Plant Pathology in 1961.

After a few years of research in the private sector he returned to academia and research at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, IL. He was a professor in the Department of Biological Sciences, serving as Department Chair for 8 years before his retirement in 1995.

He is survived by Ann, his wife of 67 years, and daughters, Elizabeth (Anthony) Fiorenza of Janesville, WI; Kathryn (Glenn) Thompson of Mondovi, WI; and Julia (Brian) Mikel of Waupaca, WI. He is also survived by 8 grandchildren, and 7 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son, Paul, his parents, and brother, Russell.

Our family thanks the staff of Wesley Willows and Transitions Hospice for their care.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund in Washington, nleomf.org , DC and Noah’s Ark Animal Rescue, https://www.noahsarkanimals.org/.

A private family burial is being planned.