He was born on May 20, 1933 in Oak Park, IL the son of Fred and Eva (Walton) Stariwat. He was raised in Forest Park and Cave-In-Rock, IL. He entered the U.S. Air Force in 1951 and retired after 23 years of service. He served in Vietnam and was a member of Special Operations. Upon his retirement from the Air Force he worked as a professional packaging mechanic. He was married to Marian Handke for 62 years. He was a member of the Holy Cross Lutheran Church.
Survivors include his wife, Marian Stariwat of Kansas City, MO; son, Rick (Denise) Stariwat of Spokane, WA; daughter, Yvonne (John) Van Duser of Gladstone, MO; daughter in law, April Stariwat of Eldon, MO; sister, Mary (Willard) Easley of Marion, KY; brother, George Stariwat of Cave-In-Rock, IL; grandchildren, Jeremy, Jory, Jason, Timothy, Katarina, Abby, and Sarah; great grandchildren, Brielle, Liam, and Jaden.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Genevieve Moy and Germaine Whitford; and son, John Daniel Stariwat II.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Holy Cross Lutheran Church: 2003 NE Englewood Rd, Kansas City, MO.