Gerald J. “Buck” Stark age 87, of Quincy, died in his home on Thursday, June 15, 2023. Buck was born in Quincy on July 25, 1935, a son of Russell O. and Inez (Boden) Stark.

He married Rita J. Bichsel at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Leonard, MO on June 15, 1957, and Rita preceded him in death on May 18, 2016.

Buck began his working career at his dad’s business, Stark Tire Shop in Quincy. He went on to become a Quincy Firefighter, retiring after 25 years in 1990.  Throughout his life he also farmed.

He was a graduate of Quincy High School. Buck served in the U.S. Army as a tank mechanic during the Korean War, primarily stationed in Germany.

He was a member of the Church of St. Peter. He and Rita enjoyed their lives together, bowling in couples’ leagues, camping, and traveling the country with family to visit other family members.

Buck was an outdoorsman who played golf for most of his life, he also did a lot of hunting for duck, pheasant, deer, and fishing.

In recent times he liked watching his great-grandchildren compete in their sports and other activities. He loved his ice cream bars and Brach’s candy. Buck had a way of being there with you one minute, and then you’d see him driving away before he said goodbye.

Survivors include his seven children:

Joey Stark of Quincy; Teresa Pillsbury and her husband Doug of Petersburg, IL; Connie Deming of Quincy; Greg Stark of Quincy; Kevin Stark of Quincy; John Stark and his wife Bess of Quincy and Tina Wingerter and her husband Vic also of Quincy.

Twenty-four grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces, and nephews along with brother-in-law and sisters-in-law also survive.

Buck is preceded in death by his parents, his wife, a granddaughter Lexi Pillsbury and a great granddaughter, Rosalie Briney. Three brothers, Billy Ray Stark, Harold Stark and Russell “Candy” Stark and a sister, Marjorie Sanders.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, June 21, 2023, at 9:30 a.m. at Duker & Haugh Funeral Home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. at the Church of St. Peter. Interment will be at 2:00 p.m. at St. Michael’s Cemetery in Leonard, MO with Military Honors provided by American Legion Post # #137. The visitation will be Tuesday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Duker & Haugh.  Memorials are suggested to the St. Michael Cemetery Association or to the Ladies of Charity.