Aubrey Sterling

Aubrey Ward "A.W." Sterling, 92, of Junction City, made his final journey on Monday, May 20th, 2013, in Topeka, KS. A.W. was born on April 21, 1921, in Magnolia, Mississippi, to John Winfield Sterling and Melba Mattie (Kaiser) Sterling. He married his loving wife, Jestie Shaw, on April 14, 1948 in El Paso, Texas.
A.W. was a retired veteran of the United States Army, and served in World War Two in the European Theatre. He celebrated VE Day in Luxemburg. He was a disabled veteran, and was proud to have had the honor of fighting for his country. He enjoyed telling stories and making others laugh. A.W. was also an avid guitar player, and often spent time playing country western music with other musicians in the community. He loved sitting on his porch and playing his guitar, enjoying the peacefulness of music and the outdoors. He also enjoyed visiting with family at Valley View Senior Life Center, where he has resided for the last several years.
A.W. is preceded in death by his loving wife, Jestie; his parents; a daughter, Judy Orth; two brothers, Chester Allen Sterling and Charles Sterling; and a sister, Ruth Jackson.
He leaves behind to cherish his memory his sons, John (Lucille) Sterling of Milford, KS, James Sterling of Mankato, KS and children Jennifer, Kathy and Laura, Joseph Sterling (Monika) of Junction City, KS and son Michael, and Jeffrey Sterling (Christina) of Joplin, MO and children Haley, Becca and Missy; daughters, Jean Gibbs (Paul) of Walkersville, MD and children Billy and Jessica, Janice Sterling of San Antonio, TX, and Joyce Carter (James) of Cannonsberg, PA, and children Heather and Christopher. He also leaves behind three other grandchildren, Karina Gretsky, Kristina Orth, and Kelly Kell, as well as 7 great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held to celebrate A.W.'s life at 2:00 PM on Saturday, May 25th, 2013 at Penwell-Gabel Mass-Hinitt Funeral Chapel, located at 805 Caroline Ave. in Junction City. Visitation will be held from 1:00-2:00 PM prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, friends and family are encouraged to make a donation in A.W.'s memory to the Wounded Warrior Project.