Peggy Jo Stark

Peggy Jo (Dampier) Stark of Tunas Missouri, daughter of the late Harry and Pauline (Berry) Dampier, peacefully departed this life into her eternal home on February 28th, 2025 surrounded by family and friends. She was born on June 28th, 1940 in the community of Celt, Missouri. A devoted follower of Christ, Peggy was saved and baptized at a young age and remained a faithful member of Hopewell Freewill Baptist Church in Tunas, throughout her life. She dearly loved her church family and looked forward to attending Sunday service. Peggy attended a one-room schoolhouse in Celt before her family moved to the Lead Mine area, where she graduated from Tunas High School. She furthered her education by attending Southwest Baptist University and later earned her teaching degree from Southwest Missouri State College. Peggy dedicated much of her life to teaching, starting her career at Tunas, then retiring from Macks Creek after 30 years. She took great joy in sharing stories of her time as a teacher with family and friends, and her passion for education touched the lives of many. In July 1961, Peggy married James Keith Canon, with whom she shared a life filled with love and memories until his passing in August 1996. Together, they were blessed with a son, James David. Peggy later married Harvey Stark on February 29th, 2004, and they enjoyed many wonderful years of love and adventure together. In her free time, Peggy loved traveling and reading, but most of all, she cherished spending time with family and friends. She was known for hosting family gatherings where fond memories were created. She never missed a school reunion, always looking forward to reconnecting with old friends and sharing stories. She also enjoyed spending time around a table visiting and playing cards. Peggy was preceded in death by her parents, her first husband Keith, her son David, brother Dick Dampier, and sister Pat Parrack. She is survived by her husband Harvey Stark; daughter-in-law Diane Canon; stepchildren Joe (Amy) Stark, Karen (Kelly) Courie, and Marie (Chris) Stark; grandchildren Kelsey, Aaron, Josh, Noelle, Haley, Dakota, Genevieve, and Katie; great-grandchildren Andrew, Charles, August, and Candice; siblings Betty (Red) Fowler, Bill (Brenda) Dampier, Dot (David) Shipley, Bob (Judy) Dampier, brother-in-law Jerry Parrack, sister-in-law Karen Dampier, numerous nieces, nephews, family members, friends, and loves ones. Peggy was a devoted child of God and a loving presence in the lives of those who knew her. While she will be deeply missed, the memories she leaves behind will continue to be cherished by her family and friends. Honoring Peggy's wishes, no funeral service will be planned. Cremation rights are under the direction of Cantlon-Otterness & Viets Funeral Home.

Peggy Jo Stark

June 28, 1940 - February 28, 2025