Obituaries

Sterling, Illinois Obituaries

Local obituaries for the Sterling, Il area

Lori L Scott

Lori L Scott

Mar 28, 2025

Lori L. Scott, 57, of Rock Falls died Friday March 28, 2025 at CGH Medical Center in Sterling. Lori was born March 27, 1968 the daughter of Rudy and Dorothy (Steadman) Jacobs. She married Dennis Scott on May 20, 1989 in Sterling.

Lori enjoyed going to antique stores and also collecting horse figurines. Most of all Lori loved spending time with...

Elizabeth Ann Schilling

Elizabeth Ann Schilling

Mar 25, 2025

   Elizabeth Ann Schilling, 69, of East Moline passed away Tuesday March 25, 2025 at her home. Ann was born January 19, 1956 the daughter of Russell and Francis (Brown) Williams. She married Tom Schilling December 10, 1983 and he preceded her in death on January 15, 2021.

   Surviviors include three sons Derek Spicer, Darren (Patty) Spicer, and Daniel (Amy)...

Dale Cohenour

Dale Cohenour

Mar 24, 2025

Dale F. Cohenour, Jr., 81, of Sterling, IL, passed away peacefully on March 24, 2025, at home.

He will be deeply missed by his daughters, Angela Minor (Cohenour) and Sunni Hall (Golden); son-in-law, Gary Minor; grandchildren Joshua, Cameron, Addison, Coby, Dalton, and Tristen; sisters Jean Doering (Cohenour) and Marlene Ryther (Cohenour); and many family and friends.

Dale will be cremated per his...

Randy P. Masterson

Randy P. Masterson

Mar 20, 2025

Randy P. Masterson

March 22, 1949 - March 20, 2025

Randall “Randy” Patrick Masterson passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, March 20, 2025. The family is deeply saddened and shocked by his sudden death. Randy was born on March 22, 1949, to Theodore “Ted” and Phyllis (Rowe) Masterson; he grew up in the Rochelle/Dixon area, graduating from Rochelle Township High School in 1967....

Thomas Hodgson

Thomas Hodgson

Mar 17, 2025

   Thomas Edwin Hodgson, 87, of Rock Falls passed away peacefully surrounded by family at his home. Thomas was born September 6, 1937 in Thompsonville IL, the son of William and Mildred (McClerren) Hodgson. He married Carolyn Goad on December 21, 1963 in West Frankfort IL.

   Thomas served in the United States Air Force for 8 years, spending 3 of...

William "Bill" Behrens

William "Bill" Behrens

Mar 14, 2025

   William E Behrens 86 of Sterling, a dedicated farmer, loving husband,father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He tragically lost his life on March 14,2025 as a result of injuries sustained in an outside fire.

   Bill was born on May 16, 1938 to Elmer and Esther (Dohner) at home hospital in Sterling. Bill attended McElrath Grade School and graduated from Morrison...

Mary Kathleen Knowles

Mary Kathleen Knowles

Mar 9, 2025

   Mary Kathleen “Kate” Knowles, age 80, passed away peacefully on March 9, 2025, in Sterling, IL.

   Kate was a devoted mother, grandmother, sister, and friend who touched countless lives with her kindness, wisdom, and unwavering dedication to family and education. 

   She is survived by her loving children, Kelly (Calvin) Williams and John (Ilene) Knowles IV; her cherished grandchildren, Briauna...

W. Jean (Asbury) Smith

W. Jean (Asbury) Smith

Mar 9, 2025

    W. Jean (Asbury) Smith 91 of Sterling Il. Passed away on Sunday, March 9 at Heritage Woods of Sterling, IL. Jean was born July 31, 1933 in Taylorville, IL to William T. and Katherine L. (McCain) Asbury, in Sterling, IL. She attended Sterling, IL schools. On September 27, 1952, Jean married Willard Smith, in a double marriage with...

Eleanor A. Dale

Eleanor A. Dale

Mar 7, 2025

   Eleanor Ann Dale, age 89 of Sterling IL passed away at the Citadel Nursing Home on Friday March 7, 2025. She was born in a farm home Oct 5, 1935 south of Duncombe Iowa, the daughter of Leanord and Mildred (Lande) Jacobson.  

   Eleanor graduated from Webster City Iowa high school, where she was a cheerleader and Homecoming Queen. She...

Jay Book

Jay Book

Mar 1, 2025

  Jay Paul Book, age 68, of Sterling, Illinois, passed away peacefully at his farm on March 1, 2025. Jay was born in Sterling on February 22, 1957, to loving parents Gene and Lucille Book. After graduating from the University of Illinois with a Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture Science, Jay returned to Sterling to pursue his dream of building the...

Henrietta Sotelo

Henrietta Sotelo

Feb 23, 2025

 Enriquetta “Henrietta” Sotelo, 82, of Sterling passed away Sunday February 23, 2025 at Heritage Woods surrounded by family. Henrietta was born December 26, 1942 in Palmetto, St. Landry’s Parish Louisiana the daughter of Jose and Guadalupe (Lara) Martinez. She married Lucio Sotelo, he preceded her in death on December 5, 1992.

 Survivors include daughters Guadalupe Galarza of Edna Oklahoma, Maria Lara...

Judith Rajnowski

Judith Rajnowski

Feb 20, 2025

In Loving Memory of Judith Mary Rajnowski (January 25, 1960 - February 20, 2025)

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved mother & grandmother, Judith Mary Rajnowski (Wiker), at the age of 65. Judy was called Home on February 20, 2025, by her LORD & Savior Jesus Christ.

Born in Sterling, Illinois, Judy lived life filled...

William Smith

William Smith

Feb 17, 2025

 William "Bill" C. Smith, 63, of Sterling died Monday February 17, 2025 at his home. William was born February 21, 1961 in Sterling the son of Charles and Harriett (Steagall) Smith. 

 Bill enjoyed caring for his dogs, and his sisters. He loved working with his tools; he could fix almost anything and was willing to help anyone in need. Bill also...

Francis Hanson

Francis Hanson

Feb 16, 2025

   Mr. Francis L Hanson, age 102, died Sunday, February 16, 2025 in his home in Napa California. Mr. Hanson was born on July 13,1922 in Sterling Illinois, the son of Franklin B and Helen Hanson. He was united in marriage to Dorothy Pearson on June 9,1946.

    Francis managed the Wayne Feed Supply business in Sterling for many years....

Wesley Yarbrough

Wesley Yarbrough

Feb 11, 2025



   Wesley “Wes” Rudolph Yarbrough, 77, of Forestville, Maryland, died February 11, 2025 at Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Washington, D.C.. Wes was born November 23, 1947 in Adele, Georgia, the son of William and Lucinda (Tanner) Yarbrough Sr.

   Wes was a graduate of Sterling High School and was an accomplished athlete. He attended Sauk Valley Community College the first year...

Jamie Lin Dowse

Jamie Lin Dowse

Feb 5, 2025

 Jamie L. Dowse, 62, of Rock Falls passed away Wednesday February 5, 2025 surrounded by family at OSF in Rockford. Jamie was born November 28, 1962 the daughter of James and Lonia (DeSanto) Johnson. 

 Jamie was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Club for many years. She enjoyed spending time with her friends, family and especially her grandchildren. 

 Survivors include...

Paulette Sweitzer

Paulette Sweitzer

Jan 27, 2025

 Paulette Mary (Hyland) Sweitzer of Rock Falls IL passed away Monday January 27, 2025 surrounded by her family and friends at Rock River Hospice and Home in Sterling at the age of 58, after a long fight with lung cancer. Paulette was born to the late Ray and Sue Hyland in Beloit WI.

 She married the love of her life Darren...

Karen Marie Moore

Karen Marie Moore

Jan 25, 2025

 Karen Marie Moore, 61, of Prophetstown passed away Saturday January 25, 2025. Karen was born October 27, 1963 in Sterling the daughter of John and Penny (Boehm) Norris. 

 Karen enjoyed spending time with her family and especially her grandchildren.

 Survivors include her parents John (Penny) Norris; one daughter Amanda (Lonnie) Smith; one son Kane (Nora) Moore; two brothers Mike Norris, and Lance...

Katherine Nadine Moore

Katherine Nadine Moore

Jan 23, 2025

   Katherine Nadine Moore, 94, of Sterling, died Thursday, January 23, 2025 at CGH Medical Center, Sterling.

   Katherine was born November 20, 1930 to Benjamin and Margaret (Gates) Smith. Nadine loved quilting, playing cards, camping and going to garage sales. She also enjoyed flower gardens, planting flowers and her orchids. She was known to her grandchildren as “Grandma Sweetheart”.

   Survivors...

Ken Johnson

Ken Johnson

Jan 19, 2025

Kenneth Paul Johnson died peacefully on Sunday, January 19 at the age of 81 years. He was born in Evergreen Park, IL on June 22, 1943, to Frances and Sigurd Johnson. Ken grew up in Matteson, IL where his interest in teaching began. He attended Illinois State University in Normal, IL and graduated in 1966, with a degree in Industrial...

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