Obituary of Kenneth A. Sterling

Mr. Kenneth A. Sterling, 78, of 12522 Main Street Hydetown, died Monday, December 28, 2009 at Country Acres Personal Care Home. Mr. Sterling was born on November 23, 1931 in Titusville, a son of the late Arthur and Ida Elliot Sterling. He was married to Donna M. Lynch on July 20, 1956 at the Hydetown Baptist Parsonage. Mr. Sterling was a graduate of Colestock High School, class of 1949. He was a veteran of the Korean Conflict having served in the US Army. He entered the service on Nov. 28, 1952 at Pittsburgh. He served with 17th FA Battalion in Korea as a radio operator and was honorably discharged on Nov. 26, 1954 at Ft. George G. Meade, MD with the rank of corporal. Mr. Sterling was owner of Sterling Insurance Service in Hydetown for over 50 years. He purchased the business from his family in 1959. He had also been employed at the former Universal Cyclops Specialty Steel Corp. in Titusville. Mr. Sterling was a member and past president of the Hydetown Civic Association. He enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was well known for his piano playing around the area at many facilities including the Palomine Club, Kay and Buddies, Ram’s Head Restaurant, Cross Creek Resort, Wanango Country Club, OC & T Railroad, Hogan’s Palace, The Rusty Nail, and also at various events and parades. As beautifully as he played the piano, he could not read music. He played entirely by ear. If you could hum a tune, he could play it! Mr. Sterling is survived by his wife of Hydetown; three children, Kenneth L. Sterling and his wife Celine of Titusville, Rita Oliver and her husband Dr. Richard Oliver of Titusville, and Heather Hilburn and her husband John of Hydetown; four grandchildren, Amy West and husband Josh, Kenneth F. Sterling, Jessica Hilburn and Juliet Hilburn; a great granddaughter, Ava J. West; a brother, Gerald Sterling of Hydetown; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Roger A. Sterling and a sister, Marjorie Sweetland. No public calling hours will be observed. A private memorial service will be conducted for the family. The family asks that memorials be made to Hospice of Crawford County 310 N. Monroe St. Titusville, PA 16354 or to the Hydetown Volunteer Fire Dept. Main St. Hydetown, PA 16328. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Gordon B. Garrett Funeral Home.