BROWNSTOWN
Thelma J. Sterling, 79, of Brownstown, passed away Saturday, Aug. 1, 2015, at Schneck Medical Center, Seymour.
She was a member of Brownstown Christian Church, where she planned and organized funeral dinners for numerous years.
Thelma was a 1954 graduate of Brownstown Central High School and attended every alumni banquet subsequent to her graduation. She was an avid reader and was a lifelong card holder at the Brownstown Public Library. She played in various bridge clubs for more than 50 years and was an initial member of the Hickory Hills Golf Club, where she played in numerous golf leagues and enjoyed many golf trips with her friends. She enjoyed occasional trips to Belterra Casino with her daughters. Much to the dismay of her Indiana University family, she was an avid fan of University of Kentucky basketball since her childhood.
Thelma was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and friend to all who knew her. She loved to cook and bake and also enjoyed watching all sports, particularly football, golf, basketball and baseball.
Born Feb. 7, 1936, in Jackson County, she was the daughter of Hartley and Lois Schornick Hotchkiss, both of whom preceded her in death. She married William Dee Sterling on Aug. 8, 1954, in Brownstown, and he preceded her in death on July 6, 2008.
Survivors include two daughters, Linda Dee Anglin of Hayden and Barbara Ann (Tim) Conner of Peru; three grandchildren, Stephanie J. (Andy) Ebbing of North Vernon, Clark S. Conner of Indianapolis, and Lauren E. Conner of Bloomington; three great-grandchildren, Emily J. Ebbing, Allison Ebbing and Nicholas A. Ebbing, all of North Vernon; and five cousins.
In addition to her parents and husband, she also was preceded in death by one son, D. Mark Sterling; six loving aunts; and two loving uncles.
The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Spurgeon Funeral Home, Inc., Brownstown, with Pastor Gary Morning officiating. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery, Brownstown.
Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday and from 10 a.m. until time of service Friday at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to the Brownstown Public Library or Brownstown Christian Church.
Online memorials and condolences may be made at at spurgeonfh.com.