Joseph Edwin "Pinky" Starling

Joseph Edwin “Pinky” Starling passed away on Thursday, April 14, 2016 at age 85 from heart related issues. A life-long native and resident of Jacksonville, Florida, he was born on November 11, 1930 and lived on the Westside, but moved to the Southside later in life. He graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in 1948 and Jones Business College shortly thereafter. He went to work for Peninsular Insurance Company, but after a year he left to join the U.S. Army where he served his country for 4 years. After his Honorable Discharge, he then embarked on a remarkable career of local service to his community. In 1954 he joined the old City Police Department which is now known as the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. He was a Patrol Officer and was promoted to Sergeant where he was privileged to work as the Court Room Officer for the Honorable Judge Santora. After 20 years of service, he retired from the JSO to join the local State Attorney’s Office where he served for another 17 years as Investigator under State Attorney’s Ed Austin and Harry Shorstein. During his many years of hard work, he met and married the absolute love of his life, Mildred Mary Masters who was from St. Augustine. They wed on September 24, 1949 and remained faithful, committed and in love with each other for the next 66 years.

He is survived by his wife, Mildred; their two children, Michael Starling and Deborah Eiserman; four grandchildren, Kyle, Kayla, Nicholas, and Kory; three great-grandchildren, Kiley, Karter and Kamren; and nephews and nieces.

A Visitation will be held on Sunday, April 17, 2016 from 6-8:00 pm and the Funeral Service will be held on Monday, April 18, 2016 at 11:00 am. at Hardage -Giddens Oaklawn Chapel, 4801 San Jose Blvd., Jacksonville, Florida. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in his honor to the charity of his choice, Community Hospice of Northeast Florida (http://communityhospice.com/) who cared for him in his final days. Please Sign the guestbook at www.hardagegiddensoaklawnchapel.com

HARDAGE-GIDDENS, THE OAKLAWN CHAPEL, 4801 San Jose Blvd is serving the family.