Amos Merlin “Merle” Barstead, 81, of Norwalk, Calif., passed away on Friday, April 10, 2020, due to complications from the coronavirus.

There will be a private family burial at a later date.

Merle was born on Sept. 5, 1938 at Woonsocket to Amos and Eva (Oestrich) Barstead. He graduated from Woonsocket High School in 1956 and almost immediately moved to Los Angeles, Calif. where he resided for most of his life. 

Merle wanted to be remembered as a “seeker of knowledge” due to his lifetime of extensive worldwide travel. 

Merle is survived by his three sisters, Barbara Aldrich, Marlene (Gene) Linton and Kayleen (Darrell) Hoeck.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother-in-law, Bill Aldrich; an aunt, as well as numerous uncles.

James “Jim” Louis Starr, 75, of Lane, passed away Tuesday, April 7, 2020 at his residence. 

James was born April 25, 1944, to Dale and Thelma (Hine) Starr. He grew up on the family farm south of Alpena and graduated from Lane High School in 1962. In 1965, Jim joined the Navy in the engineering field and served for three years.

In November 1969, he married Peggy Teeslink. They had five daughters. They lived at 

several different places as he worked for different elevators. Two of his favorites included working for Ray and Adel Nissan in Lane and later Bob and Ruth Jensen.

James is survived by his five daughters, Malisa (Tucker) Jones, Tangela (Darrin) Uttecht, Jennifer (Ron) Hill, Amy (Chad) Weber and Gina Cross; his wife, Shirley; four brothers, Bob, Tom, Doug and Larry Starr; and two sisters, Kathy (Edmund) Brandenburg and JoAnn (Jan) VanDyke.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Virginia (Bill) Regynski; and his first wife, Peggy.

Darlene Hoffman, 78, of Ethan, died Sunday, April 12, 2020, in her home with family by her side.  

A funeral service will be held at a later date. Arrangements are by Bittner Funeral Chapel.

Darlene Susan Hoffman was born March 12, 1942, to Werner and Irene (Koster) Hohn in Parkston. She grew up near Parkston and graduated from Parkston High School in 1960. She worked as a secretary for Laber and Walz Insurance for nine years. She, also, cleaned homes and businesses, and worked on the farm where they milked for many years. Darlene was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Ethan, the Alter Society, taught CCD class, and later was a member of Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Dimock. She was, also, one of the founding members of the Ethan Historical Society.

Darlene married George Hoffman on Aug. 9, 1969, and lived on the farm near Ethan. She loved spending time with her grandchildren, cooking, gardening, reading, watching TV, and her chickens.

She is survived by her sons, Michael (Coleen Liebl Smith) Hoffman of Letcher, and Mark (Jamie) Hoffman; six grandchildren; sister, Dorothy Muntefering of Ethan; sister-in-law, Colette Van Hecke of Ethan; and many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, George; daughter, Michelle Wilson; grandson, Gabriel; infant sister, JoAnn; and daughter-in-law, Kris Hoffman among other loved ones.