Sterling, Illinois Obituaries

Nov 5, 2026

   Alexander P. Gomer, age 55, died peacefully at his home on Thursday, November 5, 2026.

   Alex was born in Anaheim, California, on April 15, 1971, the son of Sherry Miller. He resided in Sterling the majority of his life. Alex was known for his time spent at Raynor Garage Doors as a spring winder and being the guy waving...

Nov 4, 2026

Patrick Daniel Etherington, age 54, passed away on November 4, 2026 at Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville, Illinois, following a courageous but brief battle with glioblastoma. Throughout his illness, Patrick faced his diagnosis with the same determination and strength that defined his entire life.

He was born on April 8th, 1972 in Denver, Colorado to Lynne (Thompson) and George Etherington.

From...

Oct 10, 2026

Desiderio Rodriguez, 72, passed away on October 10, 2026, surrounded by family and so much love in his home, after battling his illness for nine years. This was the place that offered him so much peace and serenity. He was our inspiration to give us strength to move forward even in difficult times. It was true when they said God...

Oct 29, 2026

Patricia “Pat” Majeski, 87, passed away in Wheaton, Illinois. She was born April 24, 1939, in Aledo, Illinois. She was a devoted wife, loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother whose life centered on God, family, and friends.

Pat’s faith was deeply important to her. She served with the Golden Guild at First Congregational Church in Prophetstown. A member of the Class of...

Oct 27, 2026

Oct 19, 2026

Heron J. Salmon of Sterling, Illinois was born October 11, 1940 in Rio Grande City, Texas. He died October 19, 2026 at home with his wife by his side. He was the son of Luis & Consuelo (Chavez) Salmon.

Heron attended Rio Grande City High School. He came to Illinois in 1959 for seasonal work to pick tomatoes & strawberries at...

Oct 17, 2026

  JoAnne Alexander, 78, of Sterling, passed away Saturday October 17, 2026 at Allure of Pinecrest in Mt. Morris, IL. JoAnne was born April 5, 1948 in Galesburg the daughter of Robert and Martha (Hough) Adams. She was married to Michael Alexander.

   Survivors include one son Adam (Dawson) Penaflor; three daughters Melissa (Jason Bird) Steck, Jill (Allen) Feary, and Jodi...

Oct 17, 2026

   Donald A. Stahler, 84, of Dixon, passed away Saturday October 17, 2026 at his home surrounded by family. Donald was born November 11, 1941 in St. Louis MO the son of George and Catherine (Williamson) Stahler. He married Julia Williams on August 13, 1961 in Dixon, IL.

   Donald enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening, collecting toy tractors, carpentry, and most of...

Oct 16, 2026

   Paul Magnus Helm entered into the arms of Jesus on October 16, 2026. Paul began his life's journey in Pierre, South Dakota on September 23, 1956. His father was John Arne Hjelmeseth and his mother was Ruth Elizabeth Hjelmeseth (nee Rosser). His father was a pastor. Paul graduated from St Louis Park Senior High School in 1974. He played...

Oct 14, 2026

Lawrence Thomas McGinn, 78, of Sterling, Illinois died Wednesday, October 14, 2026 at Allure of Prophetstown.

Larry was born May 16, 1948 in Sterling, the son of Arthur J. And Marion L. McGinn. He served in the United States Army and was a Vietnam Veteran. Larry was a graduate of Newman High School and Sauk Valley College.

From 1976-1986 Larry lived in...

Oct 13, 2026

Elsie C. Long, 99, of Sterling passed away Tuesday, October 13, 2026 at Parkway Center in Sterling, surrounded by family.

Elsie was born November 26, 1926 in Sterling the daughter of George and Catherine (Boze) Iben. She graduated from Rock Falls High School in 1944, and married Byron Long on November 6, 1949 in Chadwick. He preceded her in death on...

Oct 12, 2026

Robert J. Appleman, 82, of Sterling passed away Monday October 12, 2026 at Shepherd Premier Senior Living in Sterling, surrounded by family. Robert was born October 20, 1943 in Amboy the son of William and Helen (Jones) Appleman. He married Lynn (Good) on June 16, 1974 in Dixon.

Robert , ‘Bob’ was the Chief of Police in Tampico for almost 30...

Oct 4, 2026

Christopher Glenn Thacker, 47, of Rock Falls IL passed away Sunday October 4, 2026 surrounded by his family. Chris was born September 13, 1979 the son of Brad and Sandra (Hewitt) Thacker.



Chris lived for his business and took pride in all his work. Regardless of all the places across the country he worked and all the things he’s built, his...

Oct 4, 2026

Edith Jakobs passed away on October 4, 2026, just weeks before her 96th birthday.

Born October 25, 1930, in Rheine, Germany. The family moved to Stadskanaal, Holland. She had a wonderful childhood until the Nazis invaded Holland and they were forced into hiding. For 2 years and 8 months she was hidden in a 15 x15 room with 12 other people....

Sep 19, 2026

Barbara Joan Crenshaw, 79, of Sterling passed away Saturday September 19, 2026 at her daughters home. Barbara was born November 23, 1946 in Centralia IL the daughter of John and Dorothy (Lee) Gowler.

Barbara enjoyed bingo, going out to eat, senior center, taking trips to the casino, word search, crossword puzzles, playing internet games and slots. She was always excited when...

Sep 18, 2026

Ronald Leo Bushman of Sterling, Illinois was born August 1, 1943 in Sterling, IL. He died September 18, 2026 in Hospice at Resthave in Morrison, Illinois. He was the son of Leo & Lavonne (Zugschwerdt) Bushman.

Ron attended the Milledgeville schools and graduated high school in 1961. He was active in FFA and 4-H showing sheep. Ron was in the school...

Sep 16, 2026

Glenda J. Bechdolt, 82, of Sterling passed away Wednesday September 16, 2026 at CGH Medical Center in Sterling. Glenda was born December 27, 1943 the daughter of Louie and Martha (Donaldson) McFarland. She married Donald Bechdolt on January 28, 1961 in Rock Falls, IL. He preceded her in death on February 12, 2026.

Glenda worked at Subway for 15 years until...

Sep 15, 2026

Joyce L. Rippy, 79, of Sterling, IL, passed away on September 15, 2026, at CGH Medical Center. Joyce was born in Davenport, Iowa, on October 15, 1946, the daughter of Ernest and Gertrude Ehlers, who preceded her in death along with her brother, Dave Ehlers, and her twin sister and best friend, Joanne Wiggens. Joyce was a hard worker who...

Sep 11, 2026

Peggy “Peg” Lee (Lindgren) Romanelli of Rock Falls, IL was the daughter of Sherman and Cora “Bea” (Tarbill) Lindgren, born April 28, 1951. She died September 11, 2026 of complications due to Alzheimer’s in Naperville, IL. She is preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Ralph Romanelli.

Peg was born in Sterling, IL and graduated from Sterling High School...

Sep 8, 2026

Eric “Swany” Swanson of Sterling passed away following an over seven year battle with lung cancer. He was born October 27th, 1960 in Morrison Illinois, the son of Palmer and Joanne(Davis) Swanson. 

   Following in the footsteps of his father, Eric was an accomplished professional Magician. He began doing magic shows as a teen, was the youngest magician to perform an...