Sterling, Illinois Obituaries

Oct 16, 2024

   Alan “Al” Earl Thompson, 76, of Deer Grove, Illinois, passed away on Tuesday, October 16, 2024, at his home, after bravely fighting a lengthy battle with cancer. He was born on August 19, 1948, in Dixon, Illinois, to Helen (Hays) Thompson and Harry Thompson. Al was retired, having worked 30+ years for ComEd, as a Lineman, and was a...

Oct 12, 2024

   Laurence William Calkins, Jr. (Larry), age 93, of Sterling, IL, passed away on October 12, 2024 at home within the comfort and love of his family. Larry was born on January 30, 1931 in Chicago, IL to Laurence W. and Anita (Siebolt) Calkins. 

   Larry was raised by his grandparents and grew up working the farm near Milledgeville. He attended...

Oct 11, 2024

   Linda Kay Stull, 72, of Rock Falls, Illinois, died on October 11, 2024 at Swedish American Hospital in Rockford. She was born July 26, 1952 in Sterling, the daughter of Robert and Nora (Callaway) Williams. Linda was a beloved mother, wife, daughter, sister, and friend. Linda loved to plant flowers in the yard and never shied away from a...

Oct 11, 2024

 Marlene Dunn, 92, of Sterling died Friday October 11, 2024 at Rock River Hospice & Home in Sterling. Marlene was born August 18, 1932 in Sterling the daughter of Harold and Mildred (Gartner) Hall. She married Harold Dunn on July 18, 1950.

 Marlene loved the outdoors, and gardening her flowers. She enjoyed playing tennis with friends into her 80's. 

 Survivors include three...

Oct 9, 2024

 Marco Garcia, 24, of Sterling died Wednesday October 9, 2024. Marco was born October 6, 2000 the son of Rodrigo and Lucia (Arellano) Garcia. 

 Marco enjoyed his cars, and loved spending time with his family and friends.

 Survivors include his parents Rodrigo (Lucia) Garcia; Maternal great-grandparents Juan (Guadalupe) Trujillo; maternal grandfather Juan Brito; paternal grandparents Rodrigo (Maria) Garcia; three sisters Alyxia Garcia,...

Oct 9, 2024

   Betty Jean Kirchner, 95, of Sterling passed away on Wednesday October 9, 2024 at CGH Medical Center. Betty was born August 15, 1929 in Bridgeport, IL, the daughter of Ellis and Clara (Dolby) Palmer. She married Harry Kirchner on November 10, 1951 in Oblong, IL. He preceded her in death on September 15, 2018. 

   Betty began her teaching career...

Sep 27, 2024

Kathy L. Orr, 71, of Sterling, died Monday September 27, 2024 at CGH Medical Center Sterling.

 Kathy was born May 24, 1953 in Sterling the daughter of Glen and Shirley (Garriott) Staples.

 Survivors include one son, Shad Staples of Sterling.

 

 And a grand daughter Madison Morrison.

 She was preceded in death by her parents and a daughter, Kasey.

 Cremation rites have been accorded.

 A memorial has...

Sep 27, 2024

 Juan T. Garcia, born on November 6, 1955, in Plainview, Texas, passed away on September 27, 2024 at OSF St. Anthony's in Rockford, Illinois.

 Survivors include his wife Lou Ann; Juans children Adam Garcia, Santos Serrano, Ivanna Garcia, Paz Gonzalez; siblings Rosario Hernandez, Olivia Moreno, Israel Garcia, Adela (Ignacio) Cantu, Daniel (Lupita) Garcia, Jinoveva (Jose) Velasquez, Tiodoso (Teresa) Garcia, Veronica Garcia,...

Sep 27, 2024

 Cynthia E. Lehman, 49, of Rock Falls passed on Friday September 27, 2024 surrounded by family. Cynthia was born March 7, 1975 in Mendota, IL the daughter of Salome and Gloria Serrano. She married Justin Lehman on January 17, 2019 in Nashville, TN.

 Cynthia enjoyed listening and dancing to her music, decorating for holidays, and taking care of others. She loved...

Sep 23, 2024

 Leora M. Babel, 93, of Sterling died Monday September 23, 2024 at Citadel of Sterling. Leora was born March 24, 1931 the daughter of Howard and Theresa (Eilers) Weidel. She married Donald Babel on June 21, 1953 in Sterling. 

 Leora enjoyed traveling in the motor home, dancing, and playing Bingo with her friends at Parkway. 

 Survivors include one son Brian (Chris) Babel;...

Sep 17, 2024

Staci S. Pashon, 50 of Rock Falls died Tuesday September 17, 2024 at home surrounded by family. Staci was born July 2, 1974 in Sterling the daughter of Gordon and Rita (Bailey) Cardwell. She married Aaron Pashon on May 1, 2010 in Las Vegas.

Staci worked at Sterling Rock Falls Child Care for many years,...

Sep 11, 2024

Nancy T. Nunemaker, 77, formerly of Sterling, died Wednesday, September 11, 2024 at Allure of Mt. Carroll. She was born November 1, 1946 in Oregon, IL, the daughter of Bradley and Donna (Fulton) Taft.

She attended Illinois State University, where she earned teaching degrees in both Physical Education and Home Economics. While in school, she...

Sep 11, 2024

Karen O. Conley, 72, of Sterling, died Wednesday, September 11, 2024 at Rock River Hospice Home, Sterling. Karen was born January 14, 1952 in Sterling the daughter Jeannie (Ohare) Ladenburger. She married Rick Conley on July 22, 1985 in Dixon.

Karen was a retired flight attendant for American Airlines. She loved to skydive and ride...

Sep 8, 2024

LaDonna Bell Hall

LaDonna Bell Hall, aged 88, passed away on September 8, 2024, in Slinger, Wisconsin. Born in August 1936, she was a cherished individual known for her kind and loving nature.

LaDonna leaves behind a living legacy in her family; there was no greater joy in her life than her children and grandchildren. She is survived by her children, Rodd...

Sep 8, 2024

Lee A. Sandrock, 67, of Sterling died at home Sunday September 8, 2024. Lee was born on July 19, 1957 in Morrison the son of Harry R. and Dorothy (Nelson) Sandrock. He married Dawn Todahl August 16, 1997 in Yorktown IL.

Lee worked for Heartland Express in North Liberty IA for over 25 years. He...

Sep 6, 2024

Timothy Nathan Jakobs (January 29, 1959 – September 6, 2024)

Tim was born to Norbert and Edith Jakobs in Sterling, Illinois. As a boy he was a member of the FFA and showed cattle. He was always curious about how things worked and often his mother would find her radio unassembled on the kitchen table....

Sep 3, 2024

Ramiro G. Escobedo, 72, of Sterling, Illinois, passed away on September 3rd, 2024, surrounded by the women he cherished most – his four daughters and his loving wife of 51 years, Esmeralda. Born on December 7th, 1951, Ramiro was a devoted family man and proud father to Lori (Doug) Ackland, Sonja (Robert) Shear, Maggie (Shad) Bailey, and Christy (Jeff)...

Aug 29, 2024

Timothy R. Peterson 34 passed away August 24, 2024, as the result of an ATV accident.

Tim was born on March 5, 1990, to his loving parents, Ron and Starr Peterson. He graduated from Hiawatha High School. After high school, Tim worked at a few jobs before landing the job he had wanted for years…Nicor Gas Company....

Aug 25, 2024

Pedro S. Lucas, 22, of Sterling died Sunday, August 25, 2024. He was born August 12, 2002 in Sterling, the son of Carlos and Elaine R. (Lomeli) Lucas. He was a janitor at Sinnissippi Centers.

Pedro loved spending time with his family and Kashmir very much. He especially loved riding bikes with his younger brother,...

Aug 14, 2024

Diana Lynn Hanson Rausa passed away peacefully at her home in Oswego, Illinois on August 14, 2024, surrounded by her family. Born on September 24, 1947 in Morris, Illinois, she was the youngest daughter of Luther and Donna (Cockream) Hanson. She grew up in Gibson City, Illinois, graduated from Northern Illinois University, and moved to Sterling, Illinois, a place...