Joseph Jackson Sterling

Joseph Jackson (Jack) Sterling

Age 81, of Canton, passed away Friday, July 2, 2021.  He was born Dec. 24, 1939 in Crellin, MD, a son of the late John and Odessa (Carskadon) Sterling, was raised in West Virginia, and had been a Canton resident since 1957.  Joe was a 1957 graduate of Tygarts Valley High School in Mill Creek, WV.  He retired in 2002 from United Engineering & Foundry as a lathe operator, and previously worked at U.S. Steel.  Joe and Mary enjoyed visiting Amish Country and went on the trip of a lifetime in an RV, across the Northern United States from New York to Spokane, WA, and all the way to Alaska.  They also took many other trips from New England to California.  Joe loved to fish and hunt, but was really known for his enjoyment of auctions and garage sales.  He liked to fix and sell lawnmowers.  He was an excellent woodworker and cabinetmaker.  One thing that was true about Joe was that he loved to eat (especially sweets), prompting his volunteer work with Community Harvest, so no one would go hungry.  In addition to his parents, Joe was preceded in death by an infant sister, and six brothers, Stanley, Jim, Ed, Dick, Verl, and Don Sterling.  He is survived by his wife, Mary L. (Chamberlain) Sterling, with whom he celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary on June 26th, a daughter and son, Mary Sue and Jeff Cook, and Joe and Melanie Sterling, four grandchildren, Lauren, John, and Lynne Cook, and Sydney Sterling, one brother, John (Charlotte) Sterling, a sister-in-law, Joan Sterling, and numerous nieces and nephews.  On his wife Mary’s side of the family, there are eight deceased in-laws, Betty Henline, Luella Jenkins, Janet Johnson, Raymond, Wilbert, Harold and Carletta Chamberlain, and Ellen Lanham.  Living sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law are Ferne Kalm, June Welch, Carl Chamberlain, Judy (John) Mongan, Ross (Karen) Chamberlain, Jean Chamberlain, and Jonni Chamberlain. 

A Celebration of Life will be held Wed. at 11 a.m. in the Formet-Clevenger & Gordon Funeral Home with his family as celebrants.  Friends may call Tuesday 6-8 p.m.  In lieu of flowers, donations in Joe’s memory may be sent to the Akron-Canton Regional Food Bank, 350 Opportunity Parkway, Akron, OH 44307-2234.  Condolences may be sent to: www.gordonfuneralhomes.com

Gordon (330) 456-4766

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