Reva L. Starrett's Obituary
STARRETT, Reva L., age 110 years and 170 days, of Bellbrook and currently residing with her son in Xenia, passed away Thursday, July 31, 2025, at Trinity Community of Beavercreek.
Reva was born February 11, 1915, to Russell and Mabel Rhoades in Dark County and graduated from Mississinawa Valley High School, class of ’33. She was a faithful member for 40-plus years at Centerville Grace Brethren Church, where she taught children’s Sunday School. She enjoyed reading Christian books. For many years, she was a cook at Bellbrook- Sugarcreek Schools, serving as the head cook, and later specialized in baked goods for students. She loved cooking and baking; she was well known for her cherry pie, wonderful pie crusts, and the dinner rolls she made for her family and friends.
Fiercely independent and strong-willed, family meant everything to her, and she looked forward to family reunions and holidays when everyone got to be with each other. Living through the depression era, she learned to be thrifty and was willing to share what she had with others. She and her husband loved traveling in their truck camper and tried to make it to every state in the continental United States. Their most memorable adventures were six weeks in Alaska and several trips throughout the western states. She was a talented seamstress and seldom bought clothes due to her gifted needlecraft. She maintained a large garden and also enjoyed attending to her flowers. During the harvest season, she canned and froze garden vegetables and fruits for the winter months.
She was preceded in death by her husband, William Grant Starrett, in 1998; her parents, Russell and Mabel Rhoades; two brothers, Leon and Lowell Rhoades; and two sisters, Helen Olwine and Ferne Hancock. She is survived by son, Bill (Pat) Starrett; four grandchildren, Grant (Karen) Starrett, Trisha (Dave) Norris, Matt (Gloria) Starrett, and Julie (Tim) Shivler; ten great-grandchildren, Rachael (Noah) Cole, Jessica (Daniel) Baker, Sarah (Hank) Hacker, Seth (Sharidan) Shivler, Lauren (Collin) Jester, Alex Starrett, Abby Shivler, Hannah Starrett, Drew Starrett, and David Norris; two great-great-grandchildren, Owen and Ellie Cole; one sister, Phyllis Hardy; many nieces and nephews; and her dear neighbor, Dixie Chaney.
A funeral service will be held at 10 am on Monday, August 11, at Conner & Koch Funeral Home in Bellbrook. Dr. Greg Ryerson, Pastor Dave Holmes, and Pastor Tim Shivler will be officiating. Burial will be at Glen Haven Memorial Gardens in New Carlisle. The family will receive friends from 5 - 7 pm on Sunday, August 10, with an additional visitation from 9 – 10 am on Monday, August 11, all at the funeral home. If desired, contributions may be made in Reva's name to Centerville Grace Brethren Church or a ministry of your choice. Condolences may be made to the family at www.connerandkoch.com.
What’s your fondest memory of Reva?
What’s a lesson you learned from Reva?
Share a story where Reva's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Reva you’ll never forget.
How did Reva make you smile?