Starla Long

CARBONDALE - Starla Kae (Burris) Long, 47, completed her courageous journey in this life surrounded by those who loved her and was reunited with her family and her heavenly Father at 3:56 p.m. on Thursday, October 4, 2012, in Memorial Hospital of Carbondale. She was born on December 31, 1964 to Gilbert R. and Marjorie Ann (Parks) Burris. She earned her CNA certificate from John A. Logan College and spent 20 years in upper management positions in the food service industry, which was cut short by her illness. This spring, she was nominated for Cancer Survivor of the Year by the Southern Illinois Healthcare. As she traveled her journey throughout her illness, all who traveled with her or whose path she crossed have forever been changed by her courage, amazing grace, kindness of heart and spirit, and unwavering positive outlook. Her love and gratefulness, along with her family's appreciation, for her doctors and their staff, hospital staff members, her navigator, Cindy Davis, her nurse Missy Krummrich the Passages Hospice nursing staff and all those who made her journey a little easier cannot be measured. She married Michael Misselhorn who preceded her in death, and is survived by their two children, Candice Lynn Misselhorn of Albuquerque, New Mexico and Travis Robert Misselhorn of Cambria; her life companion, Richard (Ozzy) Suddeth and their sons, Sebastian Alexandar and Richard Allen, all of Carbondale; two grandchildren, Alexis Michelle and Joseph Carrillio Jr. of Albuquerque, New Mexico; and her beloved little dog "Princess." She is also survived by her paternal half-sister, Dr. Deborah L. Burris of Carbondale, with whom she was raised; her maternal half-siblings; sister, Lisa Butler of Murphysboro; brothers, Alan Parks of Arkansas, Jeff Parks and Stephen Ponder both of Hemet, California and Roger Cook of Makanda. She was preceded in death by her parents; her paternal aunt and uncle, Marian and Everett Lipe, who raised her; two additional paternal aunts and three uncles; and maternal and paternal grandparents. There will be no services. Memorials in her name may be made to the Hope Is Home Cancer Center Campaign-SIH Foundation. Meredith Funeral Home in Carbondale is assisting the family with arrangements, and will accept memorials.