Leonard I. Sterling's Obituary
Leonard Irvin Sterling, son of David and Susan Thomas Sterling, was born May 2, 1913,in Red Oak, Iowa. He departed this life Sunday, May 14, 2006, in the Harry S. Truman Veterans Hospital, in Columbia, Missouri, at the age of ninety-three years, and twelve days. Early in his life he was united in marriage to Gertrude M. Leibl, and to this union two sons were born. Gertrude passed away in 1978. Later, he married Beulah D. Keaton, and together they shared the last several years. He also was preceded in death by his parents; a grandson, Phillip Sterling, in 1983; a brother, Edgar Sterling; and a sister, Juanita Stone. Leonard is survived by his wife, Beulah, of the home; two sons, Tom Sterling, and his wife, Marilyn, of Camdenton, Missouri, and Paul Sterling, and his wife, Candy, of Spokane, Washington; six grandchildren, Don, Richard, Kimberly, Angie, Brian, and Chrissy Sterling; a number of step-grandchildren; a sister, Myrtle Stowe, of Lebanon, Missouri; several nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and friends. He was born in Iowa and then moved with his family to Lebanon, Missouri, when he was a child. After graduating from high school, he worked along side his father in the family business, Sterling Grocery Store. He then served his country faithfully in the United States Army during World War II. Upon receiving his honorable discharge, he returned to Missouri, and he and Gertrude made their home on their farm, near Versailles. For the next several years, Leonard operated his dairy farm. In the 1980's, he sold the farm and moved to Lebanon, where he continued to make his home with Beulah. Leonard made his profession of faith in Christ early in his life and was a member of First United Methodist Church in Lebanon. He greatly enjoyed life on the farm and caring for his animals. Leonard was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate his life and his accomplishments and will treasure the memories he made for his family and friends. Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, May 17, 2006, in the Holman-Howe Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Calvary (Catholic) Cemetery. Visitation will be held Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until service time. Services are under the direction of Holman-Howe Funeral Home of Lebanon, Missouri.
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