ERNEST A. STARK, 68, of 8130 Partridge Road, of the town of Union, died Sunday, January 24, 1999 at his home. He was born September 15, 1930 in Eau Claire to Ernst and Ruth (Milward) Stark. He graduated from Eau Claire Senior High School with the class of 1949. Ernest married Shirley Haas in Albuquerque, New Mexico on March 6, 1951. He served in the U.S. Air Force, with the Air Police during the Korean Conflict. Ernest was station agent for North Central Airlines for 14 years; managed AAA Travel for 9 years; and owned and operated Sunshine Travel Service, Inc., from 1979 with offices in Eau Claire and Menomonie until his retirement in 1995.\r\nErnest was a life long member of Epiphany Lutheran Church, where he served as an Elder and played Dartball for over 50 years. He belonged to many civic organizations, including Sunrise Exchange Club, Chamber of Commerce and was a past president of the Eau Claire Rotary Club. He was very dedicated to the American Legion, serving in many Post, District and State offices including State Commander of the Wisconsin American Legion 1982&1983 and currently was on the State Policy Committee. He was a member of American Legion Post No.53.\r\nSurvivors include his wife, Shirley; two sons, Steven (Paula) and Russell both of Eau Claire; a daughter, Linda (Dan) Schmitz of Madison; two sisters, Ruth (Vernon) Hanson of Elk Mound and Gloria (Shirley) Ripley of Eau Claire; five grandchildren, Nicholas, Heather, Ryan, Eric, and Jessie; and several nieces and nephews.\r\nHe was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Harold; and a sister Joyce Topper\r\nErnie loved his family and his hobby farm - his memory will be cherished by all who loved him.\r\nFuneral services will be at 2:00 p.m. Thursday at Epiphany Lutheran Church with Pastor Brent L. Parrish officiating. Burial will be in Lakeview Cemetery where American Legion Post #53 will conduct military graveside rites. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Lenmark-Gomsrud Funeral Home and an hour prior to services Thursday at the church. American Legion Post #53 will have a 7 p.m. memorial service Wednesday at the funeral home.\r\nThe family requests memorials be directed to the Epiphany Lutheran Church Building Fund. \r\n

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