Ralph Starkey

Ralph C. Starkey, 78, of Circleville, passed away Sunday, January 24, 2010 at Grant Hospital surrounded with his wife and children. He was born June 2, 1931 in Circleville the son of Chester H. and Eloise (Curry) Starkey. He graduated from Circleville High School and attended West Virginia University where he played varsity football. He was a U.S. Army Veteran. He served on advisory boards for Circleville Youth Center, National Council on Youth Leadership for Pickaway County, Pickaway County Adult Community Corrections Program and Hocking Valley Community Residential Center. He was past chair and current board member of Pickaway County Community Foundation, Volunteer Coordinator for development of the new city park, initiated the Starkey Fund for Youth of the Pickaway County Community Foundation. The Starkey Fund provides a well-known motivational speaker each fall for the students of Circleville High School. Ralph frequently served as motivational speaker for Circleville and Pickaway County Football Teams. He was inducted into Circleville High School Athletic Hall of Fame. He was former Board of Directors Pickaway County Heart Association, six year Board of Directors for Pickaway County United Way, Honorary Chairman and speaker for successful passage of 2005 operating levy for Circleville City Schools, Chairman of Youth Activities Committee, Circleville Noon Rotary and Trustee Circleville Shrine Club. He was the recipient of Dr. Bennett Cooper Award for lifetime commitment to community corrections, Circleville Noon Rotary Community Service Award, Sertoma Service to Mankind Local and District Awards 2005, Circleville Rotary Community Service Award 2003 and Central Ohio Senior Citizen of the Year 2007. In the 1960’s as Pickaway County Juvenile Probation Officer, Ralph initiated the first clothing center for needy families that continues to operate today. As Executive Secretary of the Pickaway Child Welfare Board, Ralph started the first workshop for developmentally disabled adults. During his career in juvenile corrections, he served as superintendent of four correctional facilities for youth, regional administrator for the Athens Region and Deputy Director of the Ohio Department of Youth Services. In the 1980” as Deputy Director of DYS, Ralph was instrumental in laying groundwork for Circleville as location for the Circleville Youth Center. Shortly after he retired from his career in corrections, the Ohio Dept. of Youth Services dedicated the Ralph C. Starkey High School at the Circleville Juvenile Corrections Facility. After his third retirement, he served another 5 years as Human Resources Director for the City of Circleville. Ralph was a loving husband for 54 years, dedicated father and very super-special grandfather to Hunter and Heath. He had a deep attachment to his community and dedicated much of his time after retirement to projects that he felt would benefit Circleville with special emphasis on youth. His most recent passion was the development of the new Mary Virginia Crites Hannan Park through the auspices of the Pickaway County Community Foundation. He was preceded in death by his parents, Chester and Eloise (Curry) Starkey and brother, James E. Starkey. He is survived by his wife, Margaret (Cook) Starkey, daughter, Beth Starkey-Hill (Jim) of Circleville; son, Brad (Karen) and grandsons, Hunter and Heath Starkey of Bucyrus; aunt, Harriet Congrove (Russell) of Circleville; nephew, Brian Starkey; nieces, Mary Dawn Hyde and Ann Murray and sister-in-law, Louann Starkey. Funeral service will be held 1:00 p.m. Saturday January 30, 2010 at Community United Methodist Church, with Pastor Barry Burns officiating. Friends may call Thursday and Friday from 5-8 p.m. at the Wellman Funeral Home, Circleville. In lieu of flowers, the family has suggested that friends may make a memorial donation to the Pickaway County Community Foundation Park Fund, P.O. Box 3, Circleville, 43113.