Sterling, Illinois Obituaries

May 19, 2024

Linda Kay Dir, 76, of Sterling, died Sunday May 19, 2024 at Rock River Hospice and Home in

Sterling. Linda was born July 16, 1947 the daughter of Robert and Virginia (Fridley) Easley.

Linda was a beautician in Sterling for 56 years. She was very involved with...

May 15, 2024

Pamela Sue (Morris) Hedstrom, 63 of Rock Falls, passed away on Wednesday, May 15, 2024 at CGH Medical Center following a long battle with kidney disease.

Pamela was born on July 27, 1960 in Sterling, IL the daughter of Chauncey “Sonny” and Shirley (Slifer) Morris. She married Richard “Rick” Hedstrom on October 27, 1984 in...

May 13, 2024

Marty L. Egert, 71, of Sterling, passed on Monday, May 13, 2024 at Javon Bae Hospital Rockford.

Marty was born September 9, 1952 in Sterling, the daughter of John E. and Dolores E (Weigle) Hey. She married Robert Egert on December 29, 1973 in Sterling. Marty was co-owner and secretary of Renner Quarries, LTD.

May 10, 2024

Benjamin F. Near, 94, of Sterling died Friday May 10, 2024 at Avonlea Cottages in Sterling. Benjamin was born April 1, 1930 in Shelby MI the son of Benjamin and Jessie (Kreider) Near. He married Margaret Roth on November 8, 1953 in Stratford Ontario.

Benjamin was a fruit farmer for many...

Apr 30, 2024

Alice J. “Jo” Hammons, 74, of Morrison died Tuesday April 30, 2024 at home surrounded by family. Jo was born November 26, 1949 in Rushville IL, the daughter of Charles and Ruth (Walker) Mathis.

Survivors include her husband Steve Hammons of Morrison; two daughters LeeAnn (Anthony) Tessier of Kewanee, and Tammy (Greg) Pruis of Morrison;...

Apr 28, 2024

Gloria L. Johnson, 90, of Byron, formerly of Sterling died Sunday April 28, 2024 at CGH Medical Center in Sterling. Gloria was born on February 9, 1934 in Dixon the daughter of Homer and Minerva (Fordham) Henson. She married Harold Johnson on April 7, 1956 in Rock Falls. He preceded her in death on February 13, 1999.

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Apr 23, 2024

Alma J. Johnson, 93, of Spartanburg SC formerly of Malvern, IL died Tuesday April 23, 2024 at home surrounded by family. Alma was born on October 2, 1930 the daughter of Albert and Alice (Koenes) Seaman. She married Elmer Edward Johnson on October 17, 1949 at the Fulton Presbyterian Church. He preceded her in death on August 5, 1998....

Apr 14, 2024

STERLING – Captain James F. Meyer, of Sterling, died Sunday, April 14, 2024 at his home surrounded by his family.

Jim was born December 9, the son of Isadore and Marie (Napadano) Meyer. He graduated from Alexian Brothers School of Nursing and went on to become an anesthetist. His time as an anesthetist afforded him...

Apr 5, 2024

Eileen M. “Bing” Collins, 92, of Rock Falls passed away peacefully in her sleep on Friday April 5, 2024 at her home. Eileen was born on March 2, 1932 in Sterling the daughter of Edward and Nina (Dronenburg) Bingenheimer. She married Robert J. Collins on May 9, 1953 in Iowa City. He preceded her in death on October 25,...

Apr 2, 2024

John J. Juarez Jr., 81, of Rock Falls died Tuesday April 2, 2024 at home surrounded by family. John was born February 24, 1943 in Savanna IL the son of Juan J. Juarez Sr. and Joanna (De Avila) Juarez. He married Hope Caudillo on July 10, 1965 in Sterling. She preceded him in death on February 12, 2007.

Mar 25, 2024

Donald R. Nelms, 85 of Rock Falls died Monday March 25, 2024 at Allure of Prophetstown. Donald was born January 29, 1939 in Prophetstown the son of Ira and Nina (Arnett) Nelms. He married Barbara Reider on July 15, 1961 in Prophetstown. Barbara preceded him in death on January 25, 2016.

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Mar 16, 2024

Shawn K. Keane, 46, of Dixon, died Saturday, March 16, 2024.

Shawn was born November 23, 1977 in St. Charles, the son of Dennis Keane and Debra Beschen.

Shawn will be remembered for his work with kids in Sterling wrestling and football programs. He was a proud member of Midwest Mulisha...

Mar 11, 2024

Lani Funderberg, 76, of Sterling, died Monday March 11, 2024 at her home in Sterling. Lani was born on October 13, 1947.

Survivors include one daughter Mary Funderberg; four sons Shane (Christina) Ewing, Edward Funderberg, Dustin Funderberg, and Ben (Rebekah) Funderberg; fifteen grandchildren Peyton, Lexie, Gabriel, Kenzie, Addison, Trinity, Maddie Jo, Jeffery, Rhyley, Emma Jo,...

Mar 9, 2024

Ryan Edward Fischer, 37 of Sterling, passed away Saturday, March 9 at his home. Ryan was born April 3, 1986 in Sterling. The son of Kathy Fischer of Sterling and Todd Fischer of South Carolina. He married his best friend, April Celestino, June 6, 2009 in Rock Falls. He was preceded in death by April in 2022. Ryan owned...

Feb 29, 2024

Fransisca "Chica" Escobedo, age 95 passed away peacefully on February 29, 2024 in Sterling Illinois. She was born April 23, 1928 in Texas to Luis & Luisa Cabrera.

She is survived by her children Juanita Villarreal & Mario(Molly) Escobedo.

Her grandchildren Heather(Mike) Tarbill, Lisa(Ian) Bruins, Caroline Chapman, Levi Villarreal, Pia(Scott) Sekutowski,...

Feb 26, 2024

Richard“ Dick” Tessmann, 80, of Sterling, IL went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Monday, February 26, 2024. Dick was born in Watertown, WI in the year 1943. After high school he earned a bachelor's degree from Bob Jones University and then went on to graduate from Central Seminary with a masters degree in divinity....

Feb 22, 2024

Zelda Allen, 99, of Sterling, died Thursday February 22, 2024 at Morningside of Sterling.

Zelda was born December 26, 1924 in Harmon, the daughter of Fred and Lola ( Scykes) Schulte. She married Joseph W. Allen in 1945 in Sterling. He preceded her in death in 1977.

She was a member...

Feb 21, 2024

Jon Frederick Block, 68, of Sterling, died Wednesday, February 21, 2024 at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center, Bloomington.

Jon was born March 29, 1955 in Tacoma, WA, the son of Fred E. and Helen (Ohms) Block. He married Deborah Hoster on March 3, 1979 in Sterling. Jon and Deborah did everything together. They especially loved...

Feb 15, 2024

Curtis Lee Poff Jr, 53, of Rock Falls, died Thursday February 15, 2024. Curt was born October 25, 1970 in Morrison the son of Curtis Lee and Mary (Stage) Poff Sr.

Survivors include one daughter Kayla Marie Poff; three sons Curtis Lee Poff III, Hunter Lee Poff, and Zayden Xavier Poff; two brothers Corey Poff,...

Feb 15, 2024

Janet L. Palmer, 93, of Rock Falls, died peacefully on Thursday, February 15, 2024. Janet was born Sept. 30, 1930, in Easton, Ill, the daughter of Otho and Blanche (Bortel) Furrer. She married Harold R. Palmer on Feb. 12, 1949, in Easton. He preceded her in death on July 29, 2014. The focus of Janet’s life was faith, farm,...