Sterling, Illinois Obituaries

Jan 16, 2024

Brittani Jacobson Graning 33 of Sycamore passed away January 16,2024. Brittani was an adventurous free spirit with a quick wit and larger than life personality.she was unapologetically true to herself and always spoke her mind. She was a kid and nerd at heart with a tough exterior but those who knew her knew she was a big softy on...

Jan 13, 2024

Barbara Jane Travis, 85, of Sterling died Saturday January 13, 2024. Barbara was born September 19, 1938 in Sterling the daughter of Cloyd E. and Marvel E. (Kramer) Kendell Sr.

Barbara was a Breast Cancer Survivor of over 30 years. She was known for her love of hats and her stylish fashion. Most of all...

Jan 13, 2024

Louise Gibbons of Sterling, died Saturday January 13, 2024 at Allure of Sterling.

Louise was born in Chicago, the daughter of David and Mildred (Overman) Gibbons. She graduated from Northern Illinois University and was a member of the Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority. She worked at the former Northwestern Steel and Wire Company in the finance...

Jan 12, 2024

Duane L. Stern, 82, of Rockford passed away peacefully on January 12, 2024. Duane was born August 28, 1941 in Sterling IL the son of Louis and Loretta (Rickleff) Stern. He married Charlotte Blevins on September 18, 1965 in Sterling.

Survivors include one son Todd (Angela) Stern of Rockford; two sisters Marian Landheer of Morrison...

Jan 9, 2024

Donald L. Haag, 100, of Sterling, died Tuesday, January 9, 2024, at his home. Don was born January 25, 1923 to Robert Haag and Ida Black. He married Roberta L. Espy on January 22, 1956 at the United Methodist Church, Dixon. After attending and graduating from Sterling schools, he entered the US Army Air Corps in May 1945 during...

Jan 5, 2024

Mabel I. Conklin, 90, of Sterling died Friday January 5, 2024 at Citadel Of Sterling surrounded by family. Mabel was born in Stockville NE the daughter of William and Viola (White) Kotschwar. She moved to Farnam NE, attended school there and graduated in May 1950. She moved to Sterling in 1953, where she began working at the Illinois Bell...

Jan 2, 2024

Robert Rodriguez, 62, of Rock Falls died Tuesday January 2, 2024 at CGH Medical Center in Sterling. Robert was born May 3, 1961 in Sterling the son of Raul and Mary Ann (Regalado) Rodriguez.

Robert retired from Raynor after 29 years. He volunteered time at the Rock Falls VFW for summertime cookouts. He enjoyed listening...

Dec 26, 2023

Phyllis L. Oswald, 95, of Sterling died Tuesday December 26, 2023 at Rock River Hospice & Home in Sterling. Phyllis was born November 23, 1928 in Sterling the daughter of Joseph and Ruth (Tarvin) Oswald.

Phyllis worked for over 43 years as a Rate Clerk for the Chicago Northwestern Railroads. She was also a member...

Dec 23, 2023

Kenneth “Ray” Gebhardt 89 of Sterling Illinois passed away December 23, 2023. Ray was born October 16, 1934, the son of Kenneth F. and Elizabeth (Reinstra) in Sterling Illinois.

Ray graduated from Sterling High School Class of 1954. He was a great athlete participating in track as a pole vaulter and...

Dec 21, 2023

Myron J. Deets, 82, of Sterling, died Thursday, December 21st, 2023 at Rock River Hospice and Home.

Myron was born on January 22nd, 1941 in Sterling, IL to Nolan R. and Jesse Louise (Sivits) Deets. Myron was raised on a farm in Jordan Township, and was a former member of East Jordan United Methodist Church....

Dec 17, 2023

Kathy Ann Anderson, 66, of Morrison, died Sunday December 17, 2023 at Rock River Hospice, Sterling.

Kathy was born October 16, 1957 in Morrison, the daughter of Ellsworth and Marion (Dykhuizen) Nice. She married Thomas Anderson on January 1, 1999 in Red Wing, MN.

Kathy loved nature and taking pictures of...

Dec 17, 2023

Dorothy M. Lemon, 80 of Dixon died Sunday December 17, 2023 at KSB Medical Center. Dorothy was born August 15, 1943 in Vandalia the daughter of Robert and Lucille (Diveley) Jones.

Survivors include one daughter Rose Price; one son Curt Jones; five brothers Bill (Vera) Jones, Jimmy (Jerrie) Jones, Gilbert (Connie) Jones, Leonard (Rita) Jones,...

Dec 14, 2023

Robert L. Dietz, 95, of Rock Falls, Owner of Bob Dietz Paint Store, died Thursday December 14, 2023 at Citadel of Sterling. Robert was born January 21, 1928 in Sterling the son of John and Nellie (Manon) Dietz. He married Alice Schutt on January 4, 1947 in Rock Falls. She preceded him in death on September 7, 2020.

Dec 7, 2023

Richard Beelendorf, 84, of Sterling, died Thursday, December 7, 2023 at Rock River Hospice and Home, Sterling.

Richard was born November 28, 1939 in Clinton, Iowa the son of Robert and Violet (Shoey) Beelendorf. He was a graduate of Kemper College, Class of 1961. In school he was Sergeant of the ROTC, active in the...

Nov 28, 2023

Robert “Kevin” Miller, 85, of Sterling died Tuesday November 28, 2023. Kevin was born January 20, 1938 in Aurora the son of Walter and Zita (Feldott) Miller. He married Gwendolyn Sykes on January 26, 1957 in West Chicago.

Kevin was a farm hand at Jakobs Brothers Farm for 49 years.

Kevin...

Nov 27, 2023

John Manuel Rodriguez, 70, of Dixon, died Monday, November 27, 2023 at KSB Hospital, Dixon. He was born February 4, 1948 in SanBenito, TX, the son of Ignacio and Celia (Cavazos-Garcia) Rodriguez.

John worked many years prior to retirement for the United States Postal Service in Rockford and for a short time at Sterling Walmart....

Nov 23, 2023

Vernon “Bud” Johnson passed on Thanksgiving Day, November 23rd, at the age of 96, peacefully in his home, surrounded by family.

Bud was born in Eldena, IL on May 25, 1927 to Benjamin Johnson and Florence (Fischer) Johnson. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Gladys McCann and brother...

Nov 22, 2023

Ralph Ivan Oelrichs, 92, of Sterling died Wednesday November 22, 2023 at Citadel of Sterling. Ralph was born May 12, 1931 in Sterling the son of Eibo and Marie (Matznick) Oelrichs. Ralph married Phyllis Frank on June 15, 1952 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Sterling. Phyllis preceded Ralph in death on March 3, 2013.

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Nov 22, 2023

Nila G. Harris, 80, of Sterling died Wednesday November 22, 2023 at Rock Falls Rehabilitation in Rock Falls. Nila was born January 19, 1943 the daughter of William and Louise (Davidson) Harris. She married Robert Harris on November 17, 1960 in Abingdon VA. Robert preceded Nila in death on December 25, 2020.

Nila volunteered at...

Nov 16, 2023

Edward Lee Wagner, 78, of Sterling died Thursday November 16, 2023 at Allure of Sterling. Edward was born January 26, 1945 in Sterling the son of Lester and Irene (Schreiner) Wagner.

Survivors include one sister Carol (Ed) Habben of Sterling; one brother Bob (Carla) Wagner of Rock Falls.

He was preceded...