Clair W. Starner

YORK- Clair W. Starner, 87, of Manchester Township, passed away peacefully on Monday, May 30, 2022 at his residence. He was the husband of Shirley A. (Miller) Starner. The couple celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on June 16, 2021. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 5, 2022 at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 839 W. Market Street, in York. The service will be livestreamed on Facebook Live or YouTube and can be viewed by searching St. Matthew York, PA. There will be a visitation and luncheon to follow at the church. Heffner Funeral Chapel & Crematory, Inc., 1551 Kenneth Rd. in York is assisting the family with the arrangements. Mr. Starner was born in New Freedom, PA on July 18, 1934, the son of the late Homer E. and Martha N. (Walker) Starner. In 1956 he began his career teaching math and science at Susquehannock High School. From 1957-1980 he was employed at the Dover Area School District as a math teacher, drivers’ education instructor, audio-visual science coordinator, which included implementing a TV studio and the formation of home-bound instruction, transportation supervisor, and an Assistant Principal. From 1980-1992 he worked for LIU#12 as coordinator of the film library for York, Adams, and Franklin counties. Following retirement in 1992, he and Shirley moved to Venice Florida. He served as a church organist at Bethlehem Steltz, Calvary Lutheran and St. Paul Lutheran churches. He was supply organist at Immanuel Lutheran in Venice Florida, Union Lutheran, and St. Matthew Lutheran churches. Part time employment included electrical work for Lester R. Gross and a car salesman at Warner and Wertz Dealership in New Freedom which was owned by his father. Mr. Starner was a 1952 graduate of Susquehannock High School, 1956 graduate of Gettysburg College, where he received his Bachelors in Music, and was a 1969 graduate of Temple University, where he received his Masters in Education. He was a life member of National Education Association, as well as Pennsylvania State Education Association, and Lions Club International (LCI). Clair was a 64-year member of LCI, with memberships in Dover, Weigelstown, and Venice, FL clubs. He was co-organizer of Yorktowne Lions Branch club of Spiritrust Lutheran Sprenkle Village. He was a Progressive Melvin Jones Fellow (LCI). Clair was a member of the Train Collectors Association, Briarwood Golf Club and AARP. His hobbies included collecting pre-WWII O Gauge model trains, in which he received his first train at age 6, and golfing. Clair and Shirley enjoyed traveling to 49 US States, in addition to Australia, New Zealand, Tasmania, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Europe, South Korea, Canada, Mexico, Venezuela, Caribbean Islands, Panama Canal, Fiji, and China. Clair also enjoyed spending time with his family including camping, staying at the family cabin in Caledonia and going to Penn State football games. Along with his wife Shirley, he is survived by a son, Michael Starner; three daughters, Deborah Shue, Cheryl Deardorff (Don), and Christine Miller (Harry); seven grandchildren, Jennifer (Philip), Nathan (Tracy) Megan, Alexis (Rick), Xavier, Ian, and Drew (Brittany); as well as four great grandchildren, Rylee, Cole, Oliver, and Ethan. Clair was preceded in death by a son-in-law, Denny Shue. Memorial contributions may be made to Lions Club International, 300 W. 22nd Street, Oak Brook, IL 80523; Leader Dogs for the Blind, 1039 S. Rochester Rd., Rochester, Hills, MI 48307; or St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 839 W. Market Street, York, PA 17404. Send condolences at HeffnerCare.com CLICK HERE TO SEND FLOWERS