Send Condolences
Visitation
Friday, May 8, 2015
St. Ann Catholic Church
1503 Tracy
Excelsior Springs, MO
9:30-10:30 a.m.
Funeral Services
Friday, May 8, 2015
St. Ann Catholic Church
1503 Tracy
Excelsior Springs, MO
10:30 a.m.
|
Russell "Tony" Anthony Sterling
Tony Sterling, 82, Excelsior Springs, Mo., died Wednesday, April 29, 2015 at his home.
Tony was born October 23, 1932 on a farm northwest of Milan, Mo., county seat of Sullivan County, to Eugene and Kassie (Frazier) Sterling, who both preceded him in death. He was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Milan. Tony graduated from Milan High School in 1951. He was employed by F.M. Stamper Co. from 1950-1952. Tony served the United States in the U.S. Navy as a Seaman from 1952-1956. He moved to Kansas City, Mo., in 1956, and went to work at Central Surety Ins. Co. where he met his wife to be.
Tony married Lillian Eileen Alice (Giger) January 4, 1958 at St. Vincent’s Church, then at 3110 Flora. The newlyweds resided in an apartment at 49th and Troost. While living there, he attended St. Francis Xavier at 1001 E. 52nd St. In 1960, Tony and Lillian purchased a home in Grandview, Mo., where they lived until 1968. On June 1, 1968 they headed northeast to Excelsior Springs, Mo., where they shared their lives up to Lillian’s passing, December 19, 2005.
Tony became an employee with Southwestern Bell Telephone Co. in December 1956 and retired in July 1992. During his tenure, his positions included lineman, installer, and the majority of his time, cable splicer. In association with Southwestern Bell, he was a union member of Communications Workers of America and proud to be among Telephone Pioneers of America.
From November 15, 1999 to 2012, Tony was a dealer trade driver with the former Westfall-O’Dell Motors.
Tony was an enthusiastic volunteer for the Good Samaritan Center of Excelsior Springs from July 1992 through 2012, to which donations can be made in his memory. In 2011, he was honored for this as the Excelsior Springs Area Chamber of Commerce Volunteer of the Year, 2010-2011.
But to Tony, his most cherished roles in life were devoted husband, caring father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and son. Also important was being a faithful parishioner and volunteer of St. Ann’s Church in Excelsior Springs for over 46 years.
He was also preceded in death by three brothers, Charles, Robert and Edward Sterling; four sisters, Mary Ruth Winn, Marguerite Campbell, Betty Krupa and Rose Ann Bybee.
Tony is survived by his two children, son, Mark Sterling of the home, and daughter, Jane (Sterling) Biccum and husband, Warren, and Tony’s grandson, David, all of Columbia, Mo.; one sister, Honey Michael, of Kansas City North, Mo.; and a host of nieces and nephews and other relatives.
Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 8, 2015 at St. Ann Catholic Church, Excelsior Springs, Mo. Visitation will be from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. prior to the service at the church. Burial in Hillcrest Cemetery.
Arrangements are through Bross & Spidle, Excelsior Springs.
|
