Cleo F. Starnes, 66, of Escanaba, MI died Thursday November 1, 2007 surrounded by her loving family at the St. Francis Hospital in Escanaba following a brief illness.

Cleo was born May 30, 1941 to Lyle and Eva (Popour) Leonard.    Cleo was raised in Escanaba and attended Escanaba High School.  She was united in marriage to James W. Starnes on January 31, 1959 and they resided in many locations during James United States Air Force career.  Following Jim’s retirement from the Air Force they returned to Escanaba.  Cleo worked for over 17 years at the Farm Bureau Insurance office in Escanaba, retiring in 1999.

Cleo was a very active member of the New Horizons Ministry in Gladstone where she served in many capacities.  Cleo was an avid football fan and she loved watching the Green Bay Packers play.

Cleo treasured spending time with her family and took great delight in all of her grandchildren and great grandchildren.  She also enjoyed traveling with her family and friends and going to bingo.

In addition to her husband James, survivors include:

2 sons: James (Kelly) Starnes of Green Bay, WI; Darryl (Laurel) Starnes of Bark River, MI

1 daughter: Dana (Dave) Hanson of Gladstone

9 grandchildren: Chris (Sabrina) Cicotte of Roseville, MI; James (Jenny) Starnes of East Pointe, MI; Robin (Mark) Wioskowski of Detroit, MI; Stephen (Chevon) Starnes of New Haven, MI; Nicholas (Kayla Belanger) Starnes of Wilson, MI; Hannah and Kyle Starnes of Bark River, MI; Owen and Zachary Hanson of Gladstone.

5 great grandchildren: Alexis; Tyler; Kennedy; Katelyn; and Alexander

3 sisters: Beverly (Wayne) Corwin of Gladstone; Ann (Mike) Trudell of Flat Rock; Lisa (Don) Marcellus of Harrisburg, PA

Numerous sister-in-laws, brother-in-laws, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Special family friends: Bob and Mary Starnes of Escanaba and Gene and Clara Popour of Gladstone.

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by 1 sister, Lynn Larson, 1 infant brother, Allen Dale and infant son, James Lyle.

Cleo’s family will receive friends on Monday from 4:00 to 6:00 PM at the Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone.  Funeral services celebrating the life of Cleo F. Starnes will follow at 6:00 PM with the Rev. Frank Scarcelli of the New Horizons Ministry officiating.  Luncheon will follow at the New Horizons Ministry Church.  Burial will be in Fernwood Cemetery in Gladstone.