Helen Blanch Starnes

Born March 1, 1924 in Kalamazoo, MI, the daughter of John and Eva Rozankovich, graduated from St. Augustine High School (Kalamazoo), and Mercy College of Nursing (Detroit). Helen worked throughout her life as a Registered Nurse in private duty, doctor’s office’s, polio ward, hospitals, and public health before marrying Reppard A. Starnes from Battle Creek, MI in 1955, at St. Joseph’s Rectory and lived in Battle Creek, MI for 37 years while raising their family. Moved to Portage, MI in 1992, and eventually to Fort Wayne, IN in 2010.

Helen’s beloved husband Reppard preceded her in death in 2013 after 57 years of marriage. Also preceding her in death was her grandson Michael Sennertt, brother John Rozankovich, and sister Margaret Chappell.

She is survived by her four children, Mary (Brian) Wunderlin of Fort Wayne, IN, Susan (Charles - Deceased) Sennertt of Holland, MI, Constance Clark of Brighton, MI, and William (Ana) Starnes of Weston, FL; grandchildren, Kaylee (Jorge) Nevarez, Kevin Wunderlin, Melissa and Alec Sennertt, David and Jacob Clark, and William Starnes II; great grandchild Camila Nevarez; many extended family and friends. She celebrated her 95th birthday surrounded by her family days before her death.

A funeral mass will be celebrated at 10:00am Monday, March 11, 2019 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 936 Lake St., Kalamazoo, MI. Burial will be in Fort Custer National Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9:30am until the time of the mass at St. Joseph on Monday, March 11.