The foundation for Stark Excavating was formed with the creation of an excavating company started by Lyle Stark in 1946. Working with just a small backhoe and a love for working outdoors, Lyle began growing his Bloomington, Illinois business.

Lyle and his son, David K. Stark, started working together on the business when Dave was a young boy. Dave’s experience in working with his father’s business had a very strong influence on Dave and his decision to continue working in the excavating field. As the business continued to grow, Stark Excavating, Inc. was created in 1972 with Dave as President. With the business incorporated, Dave and Lyle continued to work together until Lyle retired in the late 1970’s. Since that time, Stark Excavating, Inc. has continued to grow into a company with annual revenue exceeding $100 million – adding new employees, equipment, and services every year. In 1991 Stark Excavating purchased the assets of West Construction and Elbert Baugh Excavating, adding bridge and culvert construction expertise. In 2004, Stark Excavating purchased the assets of Colclasure, Inc., an underground contractor working in the Illinois market. Now, in addition to Bloomington headquarters, Stark Excavating, Inc. also now operates branch offices in Champaign and Mossville, Illinois.

In 1989 Stark entered into the sand and gravel business, forming a second entity, Stark Materials Company, Inc. Since its inception, Stark Materials has opened or acquired the rights to a total of six gravel deposits. In 1992 Stark Materials began producing concrete to supply not only the sand and gravel needs but also the concrete needs of its sister company, Stark Excavating, Inc. Stark Materials has since expanded two permanent batch plant sites and one mobile central mix plant providing capability to produce concrete for large projects on site.

Since 2000, the third generation has been involved in helping to continue the growth and expansion of the family business. David Jr. Featuredly oversees project management, Greg oversees the lime modification and asphalt milling operations among other duties, and Sarah processes payroll and performs other office functions.

Today, Stark Excavating, Inc. and Stark Materials Company, Inc. perform a variety of construction services in the downstate Illinois area.