Sterling, Illinois Obituaries

Jun 13, 2023

Jean L. Finkbeiner, 73, of Polo, died Tuesday June 13, 2023 at CGH Medical Center. Jean was born December 29, 1949 in Rochelle IL, the daughter of Beecher and Marjorie (Dusing) Bomberger. She married Brian Finkbeiner on July 12, 1968 in Polo. Brian preceded her in death on February 13, 2020.

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Jun 13, 2023

Betty Lois Pashon, 87, of Sterling, died Tuesday, June 13th, 2023 in Sterling while her family surrounded her with love.

Betty was born August 1st, 1935 in Minot, ND, the daughter of Ralph and Helen (Johnson) Darling. She was one of 8 children and always loved spending time with her dear sisters and brothers. She...

Jun 11, 2023

Donald Eugene Pumper, 95, of Milledgeville died Sunday, June 11, 2023, at CGH Medical Center. Donald was born December 9, 1927, in Fairhaven Township, the son of Walter and Emma (Schuchard) Pumper. He married Diane Long on March 14, 1954 in Dixon; she preceded him in death on August 25, 2008. He served in the United States Army from...

May 22, 2023

Sonja "Niecy" Green Robinson, 64, of Sterling, died Monday May 22, 2023 at her home. Niecy was born March 21, 1959 in Chicago, the daughter of John and Jean (Phillips) Green, Sr. After 34 years of partnership, she married the love of her life James Robinson on June 5, 2017 in Sterling.

May 17, 2023

Alice B. Middleton, 90, of Sterling died May 17, 2023 at home. Alice was born May 8, 1933 in Sterling the daughter of Herbert and Gertrude B. (Moore) Drane. Alice graduated from Sterling High School in 1951. She married Marion Middleton on January 17, 1954 in Sterling. He preceded her in death on March 16, 2016.

May 15, 2023

Dennis Robert Becker, 83, of Morrison, died Monday, May 15, 2023 at Allure of Prophetstown.

Dennis was born February 29, 1940 in Freeport, the son of Robert and Verline (Smith) Becker. He married Barbara Beattie on April 26, 2015 in Clinton, IA. Dennis owned and operated a handyman and lawn mowing business, he really enjoyed...

May 9, 2023

Charles W. Hollaway, age 85 of Ottawa, died Tuesday, May 9th, 2023, at Ottawa OSF Hospital.

Chuck was born in Sterling, IL on August 15, 1937 to Thomas E. and Lila E. (Forristall) Hollaway. He was baptized at St. John’s Lutheran Church shortly afterwards. Chuck graduated from Sterling High School in 1955, was in the...

May 9, 2023

Leona Mae Van Zuiden, 96, of Sterling, formerly of Morrison, passed away Tuesday, May 9, 2023, in Sterling. She was born December 21, 1926, in Morrison, daughter of the late Howard J. and Myrtle Katherine (Zuidema) Workman. She married Alvin Van Zuiden on December 21, 1944, in Sterling; he preceded her in death on October 18, 2008.

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Apr 29, 2023

Jill Bishop, 71, of Oregon died Saturday, April 29, 2023 in Madison, WI. Jill was born January 9, 1952 in Dixon, the daughter of Douglas and Anne (Keith) White. She married Tim Bishop on December 6, 1980 in Polo.

Jill was an incredible wife, mother, grandmother, and sister. She adored her family and her dogs....

Apr 24, 2023

Craig E. Lang, 71, of Savanna, IL, passed peacefully into the Hands of God on Monday, April 24, 2023, atthe University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City, due to complications from pulmonary fibrosis.Craig was born June 22, 1951 in Chadwick, IL. Affectionately known as “Craigbob,” he was a 1969 graduate of Chadwick High School. As a huge fan of...

Apr 24, 2023

Dustin Thomas Merrill, of Sterling, IL, died unexpectedly on Monday, April 24, 2023.

He was a loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend. Dustin was born on May 5, 1982, in Sterling, the son of Steve and Nancy (Smith) Merrill. He graduated from Sterling High School in 2000, Illinois State University in 2004 with a...

Apr 24, 2023

Shay Goellner, 24, of Milledgeville died April 24, 2023. Shay was born on April 15, 1999 the son of Wayne (Anne) Goellner and Becki Mock.

Shay enjoyed fishing, golfing, snowmobiling, farming and spending time with his friends and family.

Survivors include his parents; maternal grandparents Vicki (Butch) Woods of Mt. Carroll...

Apr 21, 2023

Tammy Haas, 47, of Rockford formerly of Sterling died Friday April 21, 2023 in Rockford. Tammy was born January 30, 1976 in Dixon, IL the daughter of Lawrence and Dale (Berogan) Koehler.

Survivors include one son Andrew (Nicole Comer) Bennett of Amboy; three daughters Ashley (Austin) Hey of Sterling, Chantel (Shoncey McGlown) Underhile of Dixon,...

Apr 21, 2023

Arvilla Murphy, 94 of Sterling, passed away on Friday April 21, 2023 at Rock River Hospice Home, Sterling

Born on July 20, 1928 to Edward and Millie (Lutyens) Bess, Arvilla started life in Tampico but moved to rural Rock Falls after several years where Arvilla attended the Excelsior School. Arvilla’s family did farming and she...

Apr 15, 2023

Stephen Mitchell Garcia, 32 of Rockford IL, passed away on April 15th, 2023 at UW Madison Hospital in Madison WI. Stephen was born on July 13th, 1990 to Isaul Garcia and Sarah Garcia in Sterling IL. He was very active in the gaming community. Stephen had Autism and was disabled and lived his whole life at home with his...

Apr 15, 2023

Donald P. Podkulski, 77, of Sterling passed away on April 15, 2023 at his home surrounded by family. Donald was born October 3, 1945 in Chicago the son of John and Florence (Runyon) Podkulski. He was a dedicated and loving husband for 57 years to his wife Audrey.

Donald worked at NWSW for 33 years...

Apr 14, 2023

Robert Miller, 95, of Auburndale Wi, formerly of Sterling died April 14, 2023. Robert was born June 4, 1927 in Fairmont NE the son of Ernest and Hellen (Baumgartner) Miller. He married Arlene Neitzke on December 24, 1950 in Sterling. Arlene preceded him in death on September 17, 2016.

Robert was an avid hunter, fisherman...

Apr 8, 2023

Kent Alan Foster departed this world into the arms of Jesus on Saturday, April 8, 2023 after a heroic battle with kidney disease. Kent was born to Arthur A. Foster and Carrie Ellen Farris Foster on January 9, 1961 in Eldorado, Illinois. He married the love of his life, Laurie Young Foster, on June 22, 1985.

Apr 6, 2023

Leonard Mason Long, 85, went to Heaven to be with his Lord and Savior on April 6, 2023. He accepted Christ and was baptized into the Mennonite faith in his youth, becoming a lifelong member of Science Ridge Mennonite Church, where throughout his life he served on various committees, most recently as a discussion leader for his peers.

Apr 3, 2023

Joan V. Velde, 84, passed away at Rock River Hospice and Home on April 3, 2023. She was born Joan Violette Eshleman in Clinton, Iowa on September 3, 1938; the eldest daughter of Violette (Eckman) and Lyle Eshleman of the former Eshleman Photos.

Joan made four close childhood friends she stayed in touch with her...