Eleanor Starr

Eleanor Faye Starr passed away January 12, 2014 at the age of 86. She was born in Des Moines, Iowa to Clyde and Mabel Churchill. From the age of 4 when her father was killed, she and her twin brother were raised by their grandparents, George and Bertha Churchill on a farm in Fillmore County near Geneva, Nebraska. She graduated from Geneva High School in 1944. Eleanor was married to Gayle Steiger and had a son Russell and a daughter Shirley. Eleanor worked in Ranks Department store as an assistant manager for 14 years. She then went into banking as a teller for 20 years. Her last job was managing a sub postal station inside of Monty Furniture store in Sun City for 15 years, retiring at the age of 80. Eleanor married Jim Starr, September 13, 1979, in Council Bluffs, Iowa. They moved to Sun City, Arizona in 1982. She enjoyed making quilts (total of 81) and sewing for some of the needy families. To her a day without the sewing machine was like a day without sunshine. She enjoyed painting houses, but most of all she enjoyed LIFE and making things brighter for others. She adopted many people into her family through her lifetime. She is survived by her husband James V. Starr of 35 years, son Russell Steiger, daughter Shirley Steiger (partner Dee Anderson), daughter Linda Craig, her twin brother Everett Churchill and wife, sisters: Vivian Volkmer, Lila Beniot and husband, Evelyn Luethke, Ruby Churchill, 6 grandchildren and 9 great- grandchildren. Eleanor was preceded in death by her grandparents, parents, sister Doris Waltermade, and brother Gerald Churchill. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2014 at Menke Funeral & Cremation Center, 12420 N. 103rd Ave., Sun City, AZ. Graveside services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 16, 2014 at Resthaven Park Cemetery, 6450 W. Northern Ave., Glendale, AZ.