Obituary for Robert “Bob” Sterling

Robert Bob Sterling

May 28, 1948 – August 6, 2021

Robert “Bob” Edward Sterling, 73, of Edmond, OK, went to see the Lord on Friday, August 6, 2021, after having survived idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and a lung transplant, from which he never recovered. A Funeral Ceremony will be held at 10:00 AM, Friday, August 13, 2021, at First Christian Church, Ponca City, OK., with Chris Shrow officiating. Face masks are recommended. A Graveside Ceremony will be held at 2:00 PM, Friday, August 13, 2021, at Rose Hill Cemetery, South Haven, KS. Viewing will be held from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Thursday, August 12, 2021, at Trout Funeral Home. Face masks are required. Those unable to attend the Funeral Ceremony, may attend virtually on the Trout Funeral Home website, www.troutfuneralhome.com and click on the live-stream or toolbar icon on the top right corner after 9:45 AM.

Bob was born on May 28, 1948, in Fort Crook, Nebraska, He was preceded in death by both parents. He was adopted at age 9 by Jim and Helen Sterling, along with his sister, Gayle, at age 4 in Lodgepole, NE. He attended Lodgepole school, as well as St. John’s Military School in Salina, KS, where he graduated in 1967. He married Rena Eshelman in 1969 until 1983 and had 2 children, Scott and Shauna. He moved to Ponca City in 1971 and married Carol Anton in 1985 until present. They had one son, Chad.

Bob grew up in a family that was torn apart by the loss of his parents. He didn’t really ever know his biological family and was later adopted into a family where he never really felt a sense of belonging. When he married, Bob still didn’t truly feel that sense of family; not until he met Carol.

He enjoyed fishing and gardening. He coached sporting events for his children. Bob was a member of the Jaycees and was a greeter at the First Christian Church in Edmond for several years. He loved spending time with his grandchildren and loved traveling all over the world with Carol.

Bob was someone whom people may not have seen often, but he was a good man to everyone. His friendly nature made him well-liked by everyone in the neighborhood. The children in the neighborhood saw him as a special person and referred to him as “Mr. Bob”. He had a special relationship with Carol’s mom, Jean, and they continually harassed one another playfully and drove each other crazy.

Bob is survived by: his wife, Carol, of the home, children, Scott and his wife, Trisha; Shuana and her husband, Craig, Chad and his wife, Jehan; grandchildren, Tyler, Bryce, Joy, Makenna, Kaitlin, Zoe, Kiev Anton, Fiona and Novak. He is also survived by other family members and friends.

Pallbearers will be Rod Driskell, Larry Driskell, Chad Anton, Kiev Anton, Scott Sterling, Tyler Gilliland, Bryce Gilliland and Craig Stout.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Lung Association, 710 W Wilshire Blvd #101, Oklahoma City, OK 73116 or to First Christian Church, P.O. Box 3548 Edmond, OK 73083. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home & Crematory, 505 W. Grand Ave, Ponca City, OK, 74601.

Source: Trout Funeral Home