Rev. Harley A. Starcher

Rev. Harley Allen Starcher, 89, of Newark, Ohio went to be with the Lord at 10:10 PM, Tuesday, September 11, 2012 at his residence surrounded by his loving family.

Harley was born March 17, 1923 in Crooksville, the son of the late Earl and Dovie Goff Starcher.

He was a US Army veteran of World War 2, having served in Europe for three years. He was awarded three bronze arrowheads for three invasions; Sicily, Salerno beachhead and Southern France. Harley was a life member of the VFW Post 9090, Crooksville-Roseville.

Rev. Starcher had pastored for The Free Methodist Church for 35 years, having pastored at Hopewell, Montpelier, Cleveland Union Avenue, New Albany, Canton and Newark. He served on many of the Conference committees and had served as chairman of the MEG, Nominating and Finance Committees. In additon to pastoring, he also taught in the public schools for more than thirty-one years teaching middle school math. He retired from Licking Valley Schools.

On October 14, 1946, he was united in marriage to Rosa Ball. To this union was born two children, Ray and Karen.

He is survived by his wife Rosa; his son and daughter-in-law, Ray and Brenda Starcher of Granville; his daughter Karen Johnston of Newark; his two grandchildren, Beth (Dan) Robertson of New Albany and Adam (Ashley) Johnston of Reynoldsburg; his great grandchildren, Ethan Robertson and Emerson Robertson and his brother, Robert Starcher of Springfield.

In addition to his parents, Harley was preceded in death by his brother, Elgia Starcher.

Family and friends will be received 4:30-7:30 PM, Thursday, September 13 at Licking County Church of God, Riggs Rd., Newark and beginning at 10:00 AM, Friday at the funeral home. Funeral services and a celebration of Harley's life will be held at 1:00 PM, Friday, September 14 at GOEBEL FUNERAL HOME, 36 N. BUCKEYE ST., CROOKSVILLE with Rev. Danny Neville officiating with Rev. John Walter and Rev. Ken Chase co-officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made in Harley's memory to Samaritan's Purse, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607 or Crooksville Free Methodist Church, 169 W. Main St., Crooksville, OH 43731 or Licking County Church of God, Riggs Rd., Newark, OH 43055. Envelopes will be available at the church and the funeral home.

You may read the obituary, sign the Online Register Book and share a special memory with the family at www.goebelfuneralhome.com