Wilma Maxine Starks, daughter of Walter and Eva Freeman, arrived into this world on July 20, 1921, in Claudell, Kansas. Wilma passed away on November 16, 2014 at Clinton Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, Clinton, Missouri where she had resided since 2010. She was 93 years old. Funeral services will be held 2:00 P.M. Thursday, November 20, 2014 at the Vansant-Mills Chapel, Clinton, Missouri. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Interment will be in Englewood Cemetery, Clinton, Missouri. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to VFW Auxiliary #1894, or the Kensington Senior Center, Kensington, Kansas and may be left in care of the funeral home. Fond memories and condolences can be left online at www.vansant-millsfuneralhome.com.

She was the youngest of five siblings who included Neva, Charles, Pearl, and Ruby. Her early life was spent in Smith and Phillips Counties in Kansas. She was a resident of National Youth Administration part of the New Deal in the 1930s in Smith Center, Kansas instructed by Irene McNerney.

In July of 1941, Wilma married Ivan McDowell of Kirwin, Kansas, and to this union four children, Gary Lee, Kay Marie, Danny Jo, and Michael Paul were born. She became a member of the Sunshine Club of Kirwin and also helped organize a group of friends known as "The Willing Fifteen" and belonged until her move to Missouri. She was employed at the J.C. Penney store in Phillipsburg, Kansas, and later transferred to a Penney's store in the suburbs of Kansas City, Missouri. She always claimed to be a "little country girl in a big city" but won the contest over several other stores for being top salesperson.

She wed Earl B. Starks, her childhood sweetheart, on November 12, 1966. They made their home in Clinton, Missouri. During this time, she worked eleven years for Zenith Fireworks and later became an employee Golden Valley Hospital in the dietary department where she was named employee of the month in 1986. She was a Share group member for people who had lost loved ones and also served on the Hospice Board of Henry County. She initiated a TOPS Club in Clinton and graduated as a KOPS in 1976. She was past president of the VFW Auxiliary #1894 in Clinton and a lifetime member at the time of her death.

Following the death of her second husband, Wilma returned to the area of her youth in Kansas. She started as a Green Thumb worker at the Kensington Community Senior Center in Kensington, Kansas. The highlight of her job was being nominated for Older American Worker of the Year. In 1996, she was hired as Meal Site Manager for the center. In 1999, she was one of four people interviewed by the Associated Press for past happenings in Smith County. Those articles appeared in different newspapers throughout Kansas.

Wilma's parents, one brother, three sisters, her son Danny in 1986 and her husband Earl "Benny" in 1989 preceded her in passing.

Survivors include son Gary McDowell of Wichita, Kansas, grandchildren Charlene, Marshall, Troy and Sherry; daughter Kay Merrifield (husband Gary) of Fremont, Nebraska, grandchildren Patrick, Teresa, and Michael; son Michael "Mike" McDowell (wife Kim) of Clinton, Missouri, grandchildren Sarah, Joel, Nicholas, and Alexander; and one step-daughter Cheryl Roberts, granddaughters Michelle and Vickie of Temecula, California. There are 26 great grandchildren and 7 great, great grandchildren; as well as other relatives and friends.

Wilma loved being with people and sharing activities with all. She especially enjoyed her friendships in Clinton and in her later years at the senior center in Kensington. She will be remembered for cooking, doing crafts, collecting clippings, gardening, playing cards, making candy, and forever decorating for Christmas. May God bless her with contentment and eternal peace.