Appleton, WI- Jerome Richard Starkey, born October 1, 1977, passed away at the age of 45 on October 22, 2022.

Jerome attended Northern Michigan University where he graduated with a degree in Electrical Engineering. He then moved to Wisconsin and began working for a company called Plexus where he worked for over 20 years. He really enjoyed his job and his fellow co-workers. His greatest passion was watching his children grow.

Jerome loved sports in his younger years and was active in his community with coaching his kids as well as others. He enjoyed watching his children play sports and was a very proud father of his three beautiful children. He loved to play golf, exercise and run in marathons. He would listen to inspirational and motivational people while exercising.

Jerome is survived by his wife Renee Starkey, and their children Madisyn, Jaxson and Tyson, his father Peter Starkey of Michigamme, a sister Sheri Starkey-Riley of Kentucky, a grandmother Barb Fishell of Iowa, and an uncle Dennis (Carla) Skytta of Michigamme. He was preceded in death by his mother Cathy Starkey, several grandparents, and an uncle Albert Skytta.

A Celebration of Jerome's life will be held at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Champion on Saturday, November 26, 2022, at 11:00 am with a visitation starting at 10:00 am.

Jerome's obituary may be viewed at bjorkandzhulkie.com where relatives and friend may leave a note of remembrance.

I still remember you...

I still remember you, Jerome Richard Starkey

I still remember you when you were just a boy.

Wearing your little green Yoda t-shirt

And playing with all your star wars toys.

I still remember us playing with our matchbox cars

Out on the sandy corner of Herbie and Irene's house.

Also playing red light, yellow light, green light, go

We always chased each other like a cat and mouse.

I still remember all of us kids in town,

We would be riding our bicycles down to the beach.

Our fishing rods strapped to the handlebars,

All of our fish bait and nightcrawlers just within reach.

I still remember swimming at Michigamme Lake

And I still remember us all at Tony Gene's arcade.

The moments we rode the 3-wheeler on the trails,

And all of the snow forts and tree houses we made.

I still remember that little young man,

So proud to shoot his very first buck.

That awesome 10 point deer that you were sitting on,

Dad said that day you had all of the luck.

I still remember the boy who played basketball,

You played point guard and ran very fast.

Everyone thought that you were too small to play,

But you quickly grew up, now those days are passed.

I still remember the dog house that you had built,

You had 81 nails in just 5 pieces of wood.

It was half the size of our little white dog,

But building it like Dad, we were confident that you could.

I still remember the 4th of July in Michigamme,

When we bought our little ducks that went quack quack.

Our parents weren't too happy with us at all,

I think that we almost gave them a heart attack.

I still remember that 4th of July when you were just a child

When you won the frog jumping contest with your big bull frog.

And all of the motivational and inspirational people you listed to,

Whenever you decided to go for a walk or take a jog.

I still remember the days that you went in to Plexus

A job where you loved your co-workers so much.

You always laughed, smiled and told jokes there,

And played music for your friends like "Bust a move" and such.

I still remember the brother that you are

And the wonderful man that you came to be.

A proud father of three beautiful children,

I wish these were the things that you could see.

We feel your your spirit and presence all around us,

These memories will always bring us so much joy.

Your charisma and your personality was your true gift.

And the love you gave to your daughter and twin boys.

I still remember everything about you,

A life cut too short, we wish you could stay.

Our grief is trying to consume us daily,

But somehow we need to find our own way.

We will keep your memory forever alive,

We will always remember who you are.

One day we will all be re-united.

Because Heaven really isn't that far.

Sometimes our burdens are too heavy to carry,

And keep us from moving forward without strife.

But the blessings that you gave us all

It was the entirety of your whole life.

I will always, always, always remember you...

Dedicated to Jerome Richard Starkey

October 1, 1977 to October 22, 2022

written by; Sheri Starkey-Riley (November 1, 2022)