Gayle Marie Stark was born to Victor F. and (Thelma) Marie Grossnickle on July 4, 1945, in Salem Oregon, across the street from Bush Pasture Park while the 4th of July was celebrated with fireworks. For her entire life, she loved that everyone celebrated her birthday on the 4th.
Gayle grew up the youngest of three daughters, with sisters Beverly and Barbara. Their father was the police chief in Silverton and Gayle went through school in town, graduating from Silverton Union High School in 1963. Gayle had a brief marriage to her high school sweetheart that produced her son, Troy. In 1968, Gayle met Robert
Stark, a Navy man on leave. They were married in December 1968 and had a daughter, Elisha Marie.
Bob and Gayle settled in Pratum, Oregon on a small property with woods, pasture, animals and garden. The Pratum garden was productive, and with the help of Vic, Gayle worked very hard to preserve enough food to feed her family and the families of her sisters. And with the chickens, goats and cows over the years, home grown food was a staple.
Gayle and Bob moved to Pflugerville, Texas in 1983 where they made life-long friends and Bob founded GRR Electric. After three years, they returned to Silverton and built a home on the back portion of Vic and Marie’s property. In 2001, they moved to Aumsville and in 2022, Gayle moved to Davenport Place in Silverton, living there until her passing.
Gayle was very supportive of those around her throughout her life, serving her church and family – not in the limelight, but in crucial ways. She often helped Bob by getting building supplies for his jobs or prepared food for social gatherings. The first meeting of Silver Creek Fellowship was held in Bob and Gayle’s Silverton home. Gayle loved music and played the piano, passing this love and talent to her daughter and granddaughter. She also enjoyed embroidery, quilting and recording the family history through photos and stories. Winter was her favorite season; she reveled in storms and snowfalls. Bob and Gayle celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in December of 2018, six months prior to Bob’s passing.
Gayle is preceded in death by her husband, Robert; her parents, Vic and Marie; and her sisters, Beverly and Barbara. She is the proud grandmother to Caylan Stark (Cassie), Keska Hettwer, Andreas and Logan Stark. Her children, Troy Stark (Debbie) live in Vashon, Washington and Elisha Cahill (Jeff) in Aumsville.
She was thrilled by the birth of her great grandson, Holden John, to Caylan and Cassie in 2021. Interment was held at Willamette National Cemetery on Oct. 27, 2023. A celebration of life service was held Oct. 28, 2023 at Silver Creek Fellowship. Arrangements by Unger Funeral Chapel.
