Charles SterkAKRON – Charles Sterk, 85, of rural Claypool, and formerly of Akron, passed at 1 a.m. Saturday, July 24, 2021, at his residence.
Charles was born on Sept. 10, 1935, in Cook County, Ill., to the late Cornelius H. and Winnie Kelderhouse Sterk. He was married on Oct. 22, 1955, in the Burton Church of Rochester, to Margaret Rose Johnson. She preceded him in death on Feb. 28, 2005. Charles then was married on Aug. 12, 2006, in the Eel River Church of Silver Lake to Marilyn Sue Drudge; she survives.
He was a 1954 graduate of Akron High School. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army from 1955 to 1957 and was then honorably discharged. In earlier years, he worked for Peabody Seating Company and Chamberlain’s. He retired after 38 years with Singer (Eaton) Controls of North Manchester in 1997, where he was a production control analyst. He was also known to assist on farms in the area, especially for George Sheets,Tucker Farms and Wise Farms. He also trimmed hedges in the Akron area for many years.
Charles was a member of the Akron United Methodist Church, where he served on many boards. He served his community on the Akron Town Board for two terms. He was a longtime member of the American Legion Post #36. He was a lifetime fisherman and loved to maintain his property. He enjoyed traveling and made yearly trips to Minnesota camping with friends and family as well as to Florida.
Charles is survived by his wife, Marilyn Sue Sterk, of Claypool; daughters: Deborah and husband Mark Wise, of Claypool; and Lisa and husband Chad Tucker, of Mentone; a son, Charles Alan and wife Sally Sterk, of King, N.C.; grandchildren: Mariah and husband Matt Roberts, Amanda and husband Cody Hudson, Charles Dean and wife Chrissie Sterk, Charles Matthew Tucker and Bethany and husband Cameron Beron; six great-grandsons: Trevor, Jay, Brayden, Nolan, Garrett and Calvin (CJ); and one great-granddaughter, Baby B, on the way; sisters: Margaret Tromp, Schererville; Bernice and husband Paul Brown, Akron; Wilma Belsan, Brookfield, Ill.; and Cornelia Moore, Akron; brothers, Robert and wife Sharon Sterk, Sevierville, Tenn.; Bert and wife Theressa Sterk, Akron; and Lee and wife Leta Sterk, Rochester.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Margaret; brothers: John, Herman and Richard Sterk; and sisters: Nellie Mosher, Carrie Koster, Dorothy Sterk and Nancy Sterk.
Visitation hours will be from 3 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 28 at Hartzler Funeral Home, 305 W. Rochester St., Akron. The funeral service will take place at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 29 at the Hartzler Funeral Home, Akron, with Pastor David Eaton and Pastor Phil Pratt officiating.
The interment will take place in the Akron Cemetery, Akron, with graveside military rites performed by the Fulton County Honor Guard.
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In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in his memory to the Wounded Warrior Fund or the Akron United Methodist Church.
Share a memory or send an online condolence at www.hartzlerfuneralservices.com.
