David L. Stark of Cataract, age 64, died Sunday morning, July 8, 2012, at home.

Born on January 9, 1948 to Edwin and Helen (Williams) Stark in Sparta. He attended Stark Valley School, Sparta Junior High, and graduated from Sparta Senior High in 1966. He went into the Army on February 21, 1967, and served in Vietnam with the 11^th Armored Cavalry. He served three tours, receiving three purple hearts, and was honorably discharged on February 13, 1970. David married his high school sweetheart, Jeanine M. Schmitz on November 16, 1969. They were married for 42 years. David worked at Fort McCoy from November 1971 to September 2002 when he retired after 32 years. He still continued to farm on the family farm until his illness, with his three sons. In 1997 he bought into the Leon Country Tavern with his wife, Jeanine, who still operates it. David loved to hunt fish, cut wood, and watch the crops grow. He was a member of the Cataract Sportsman Club and Melrose American Legion.

David is survived by his wife, Jeanine of Cataract; sons Larry (Jeanne) and children Jimmy, Shane, Dustin, and Laura of Cataract; Charlie (Becky) and children Pvt. Thomas (Samantha) and Angelique of Sparta; and, Bill (Crista) and children Haley, Cade and Lane of Sparta; sister Kathy Ayala of California; brothers Gary of North Bend and Allen of Mindoro; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law Judy Frederick of Cashton, Kathy (Carl) Saglar of Melvina, Linda (Richard) Hansen of Cataract, Sharon (Paul) Brueggen of St. Mary’s Ridge, Carolyn (Joe) Hansen of Norwalk, Clarice (Dale) Donskey of Summit Ridge, David Schmitz (Julie Erickson) of Cashton, Jeff (Carol) Schmitz of Sparta, John (Michelle) Schmitz of Leon, Steve (Lori) Schmitz of Dell, Randy (Sherri) Schmitz of Leon, Jerry Schmitz of Leon and Jeff (Karen) Leis of Cashton, along with many nieces, nephews and other relatives and good friends.

David was preceded in death by his parents Edwin and Helen Stark, his sister Virginia Colbert, granddaughter Carly Stark, father- and mother-in-law Albert and Luella Schmitz, sisters-in-law Cindy Leis and Jackie Schmitz, brothers-in-law David Frederick and Rick Ayala, and niece Tammy Hansen.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11 am at the Cataract Sportsmen’s Club on Saturday, July 14, 2012 in Cataract, WI. Visitations will be held on Friday, July 13 from 4 – 8 pm and one hour prior to the service at the Cataract Sportsmen’s Club. Interment will be at the Cataract Cemetery. Coulee Region Cremation Group is assisting the family.