Pamela K. Starkey

The best mentors are those who accompany you on your journey. She was given full measure of the Fruits of the Spirit – yet humble in her sharing of them.

Pamela K. Starkey, a devoted wife, mother and community leader, passed at 80 years of age, being cared for by those she loved most.

Pam was born on September 4, 1943, in Danville, Illinois to Melvin and Bette Goodner. She married Jim Jameson with whom she had a son, J. Michael Jameson. In 1982, she married Dennis Starkey.

Although Pam had a fulfilling career as Director of Family Services with Sunset Funeral Home, her greatest passion was being an encourager to all those in her many circles of influence. She and Dennis shared a deep commitment to developing spiritual leaders. Pam has brought comfort to thousands of people in her career by counseling grieving families.

Pam loved the Lord, God’s word, her family and friends, sunrises and sunsets on beaches, full moons, aspen leaves, fall weather, traditions (blueberry and cherry picking), making memories and creating legacies.

Pam is survived by her loving husband Dennis, son Michael (Dee) of Danville and their children Mackenzie, Seth, Ashlely, and Grayson Jameson and Jaxson and Taylor Kinsman; Rob (Gayle) Starkey of Bay St. Louis, MS, Jody (Cathy) of Bolingbrook, IL, their daughter Samantha (Danny), and grandson Wyatt Holland and great grandson Cash Holland of Dillon, MT. She is also survived by sisters Paula Lucas of Orland Park, IL; and Sue Stahl (John Bukowski) of Danville and brothers Mark (Kathy) Goodner of Covington, IN; and Bill (Joanne) Goodner of Colorado Springs, CO. Pam is also survived by a huge loving and supportive family of nieces, nephews, great-niece and nephews and their kids and her cousins and their families who all loved the Goodner Family Matriarch so deeply.

She was preceded by her parents, sister Julie Barney, and three close cousins.

Pam will be remembered as a loving wife, sister, grammy, aunt, and cousin who loved to be surrounded by her family. She hosted innumerable dinner parties, family birthday parties, wedding and baby showers, and all family Christmas days, giving each event her special flair for making it personal, elegant, and fabulous. Friends and family will remember Pam for her caring, giving spirit, mentorship, being the anchor and beacon of love and acceptance. Relationships were deep and meaningful to Pam, especially those she developed with her many small groups and bible studies as well as Boat Club friends.

A celebration of the life of Pamela K. Starkey will be held at 10:00 am Thursday, September 5, 2024, at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 3940 N Vermilion St. Danville, Il. with Happy Leman, Diane Leman, and Jim Russell officiating. Burial will follow at Johnson Cemetery. Visitation of family and friends will be held from 4-8 p.m. on Wednesday, September 4th at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Rose’s Food for the Children, 202 East Roselawn Danville Il. 61832 or the Women’s Care Clinic 1509 N. Bowman Ave., Danville Il 61832 or danvillewcc.org. Please share photos, videos and memories of Pam’s life on her tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.