Raymond E. "Ray" Sterling

Raymond Elwood “Ray” Sterling, 93, of Geneseo, passed away on June 5, 2023.  Memorial services will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 10, 2023, at First Lutheran Church, Geneseo.  Reverend Laura Kamprath will officiate.  A memorial visitation will be from 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., prior the service, at the church.  Vandemore Funeral Homes & Crematory – Geneseo Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements.  Memorials may be made to First Lutheran Church, 114 E. Main Street, Geneseo, IL, 61254.  Online condolences may be left at www.vandemorefuneralhome.com.

Ray was born in Buck Run, PA, on July 1, 1929, the son of Henry and Ruth Sterling.  He grew up in a large loving family of ten children.  Raymond proudly served in the United States Army.  He married Deloras Fairgrieve on November 15, 1952, in Rochester, NY.  Ray and Dee celebrated their 70th anniversary in 2022.  Ray worked most of his career in the linen supply business, retiring in 1991 as general manager of Aramark in Moline, IL.  He was blessed to have a long and happy retirement which he and Deloras spent traveling with the Classic Club in Geneseo, bible study, playing cards with friends and family, and meticulously maintaining his yard. 

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Deloras; daughters, Susan Sterling of Medford MA, and Terri (Lawrance) Glenn of Geneseo; son, Jason (Beifei) Sterling of Palm Coast, FL; sisters, Marilyn (Henry) Widor of Rochester, NY, and Marie Kisling of Kutztown, PA; granddaughters, Laura (Cullen) Combs of Las Cruces, NM, Sarah (Tim) Hays of Las Vegas, NV, Gayle (John) Bassett of Las Cruces, NM, and Abigale and Ashlee Sterling of Palm Coast, FL; eight great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.