April Marie Starr

April Marie “Un-Na-Nou” Piel Starr, of Wapato, went to be with her Creator on February 6, 2014 surrounded by her loving family. April was born on November 9, 1970 to Levi and Evangeline (Kishwalk) Piel in Yakima. April, as a child earned the nickname “Pestey”, and was lovenly called that by family and friends alike. Pestey was educated in White Swan and was a star basketball player and her favorite coach was her father Levi. Throughout the years, April’s favorite hobbies were hunting with her father and brothers, bead working (her wallets and bill folds were so beautiful!) and cooking holiday meals for the family. Pestey also loved to can fruits, play bingo, and travel. April was a food gatherer, picked huckleberries, and was one of a few woman recognized traditional hunters.

April is survived by her husband, Vincent Starr; her children Kyle R. Starr, Derrick A. Piel-Starr, Latoya M. Starr; her parents, Levi Piel Sr. and Evangeline Piel; sister, Cara D. Piel; brothers, Levi Piel Jr., Francis Piel, Elton Wahpat; grandmother, Gladys M. George; special nephew, Graysen “Bear” who loved her and called her “Auntie Mama”; numerous other aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, cousins, friends and the families of Kishwalk, Spoonhunters, Starrs, Piels, Heath, Shippentowers, Sams, Thompsons, Atkins, Pahcotus, Lopez, Sampsons, Moses, Tulees, Puyette, and Wahpat.

She was preceded in death by her maternal grandmother, Julia Charley; maternal grandfather, Elman Kishwalk; and paternal grandfather, Vincent Piel Sr.

A Dressing Service was held yesterday at Merritt Funeral Home. Overnight Services were held at the Toppenish Creek Longhouse. Interment will be held today, Saturday, February 8, 2014 at Yesmowit Cemetery at 8:30. Following burial service, a dinner and give away will be held at the longhouse.

Merritt Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements.