Date of Death: August 15, 2025
Service Details
Her family will receive friends Tuesday, August 19, 2025 beginning at 1:00 p.m. at Hohner Funeral Home, 1004 Arnold St., Three Rivers. A private celebration of life will follow at 3:00 p.m. at the funeral home, with Max Wolford officiating.
Obituary Notice
Elsie Etta Starks, 74, of Mendon, passed away Friday, August 15, 2025 at her home.
She was born on September 25, 1950 in Queens, W.Va., the daughter of Raymond and Martha Geneva (Hornick) Herron.
Elsie graduated from Green Bank High School in Pocahontas County, West Virginia. Elsie moved to Michigan to be with her love and on September 20, 1969, she married Raymond Starks. They enjoyed being together, whether that was fishing, softball, playing cards, bowling league, hunting, golfing, or just spending time sitting together.
Elsie was a hard-working woman who was very proud to support her family any way possible. She worked at Denton Mills, at the Mendon library, machining at G&H Industries, office administration and machining operations for C&H and most recently as Direct Care Staff at Woodlands Behavioral Health for Cass County Mental Health over a dozen years. No matter what the work required, she would adjust her schedule to be at kids’ and grandkids’ sporting events or school activities.
Elsie enjoyed fishing, making arts and crafts, playing cards and gambling at the casino.
Elsie loved fiercely and enjoyed making memories with her family and friends. She was a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, and friend.
Remaining to cherish her memory are her husband of 56 years, Raymond Starks; 2 daughters, Shannon L. Starks (Christopher Grinage) and Jennifer F. McWilliams (Paul); 7 grandchildren, Kody Mathews (Casondra), Logan Mathews (Sabrina), Kaden Miller, MaKayla Munn (Fabyan), Courteney Munn (Quinton), Kennedy McWilliams, Addison McWilliams; 2 great-grandchildren, Henry Mathews and Drew Mathews; 7 siblings, Charles Herron, Judy Wolford, Don Herron, Dorris Markko, Betty Eltringham (Don), Roger Herron (Lynn), Faye Straub and extended family.
She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings, Ronnie and Patty Herron.
Additional Information
In lieu of flowers, donations in Elsie’s memory may be directed to Donate Life https://donatelife.net/. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
Please Leave Your Condolences
When your condolences are submitted they will not display until approved by the Hohner staff for appropriateness out of respect for their memory. They should appear within 24 hours or less. Thank you for your understanding.
Ray and girls,
My heartfelt condolences for you and the family. I know she will be missed by all especially the grandchildren.
I’ll always remember when your family and ours played church baseball for First Baptist. Don, Mike and Charlie marveled how Elsie really lobbed that ball in there. It can’t be that many years ago. Don passed in 2023, Mike is disabled, and Charlie had a stroke last year, so I moved back to Three Rivers. My brother died the day before Elsie so we must remember the good memories as we go through these painful days. Blessings, my friends.
Myrna Brown
No words can ease the hurt of this huge loss. Please know our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Kathy Starks
Your smile and heart has touched all around you. You made my life better, standing beside me during Mama and Dads death. So like my second Mom, always here for me.
I miss you much. And love you always.
Love to Uncle Tinc and Daughters
Godspeed Elsie 🌼
My heart is broken for your family. She was such a beautiful soul!!! I love you all and I am praying for you as go through this. As I sit here this morning I am thinking of all the good times. All the moments she made me laugh over the years. (A lot) I hope you let all of your loving memories wrap you up and help you get through this. Love you!!
We are so saddened by this news. We met Elsie a while back through her daughters. And what a joy it has been to know her! Everytime with Elsie was filled with love and a lot of laughter!! You are going to be missed by so many that you loved well!!! Forever in our hearts and memories will be your smile and laughter!!!
Sympathy to family and friends during these trying times. Elsie’s memories will live on forever. May God bless you.
Raymond and family,
I didn’t know Elsie really well, but she was always pleasant to talk with, had a friendly smile, and a calm but strong demeanor. I’m sure that all friends and relatives will miss her a lot. You are all in my thoughts and prayers as you remember the good memories she left you with.