Viola Starlin

Viola Darlene (Dukes) Starlin, daughter of Leslie and Elsie Mae (Byrnes) Dukes, was born January 10, 1928, near Sheridan, Missouri. Viola entered eternal rest on January 11, 2016, at her home in rural Diagonal, Iowa at the age of eighty-eight years after a short battle with leukemia.
Viola was educated in Worth County Schools. She married Cyril Donald Starlin on February 6, 1947, in Troy, Kansas. Eight children were born to this union. The couple lived near Kent for several years before moving to their rural home on the Ringgold-Union County line in 1960. They were married fifty-two years. Viola enjoyed family gatherings, gardening, canning, listening to old-time country music, reading and embroidery. She also enjoyed cooking and sharing her recipes with her many grandchildren.
Viola is survived by her children: Donna Tillman, Creston; Karen (Gary) Zabel, Lenox; Donald (Lexie) Starlin, Creston; Deborah (Kevin) Creveling, Ellston; Monty Starlin (and friend, Dee Weeda), Diagonal; Michelle (Greg) Jobe, Ellston; Kevin “Harold” Starlin, Diagonal; and Sherri (Jerry) Calvin, Lenox; seventeen grandchildren; twenty-seven great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Viola was preceded in death by her parents; her husband in 1999; five brothers: Virgil, Drexel, Russell, Ray and Kermit; and her sister, Anita.