Walter Kirk Sterling

May 4, 1927 - January 30, 2013

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Services:
   A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, February 5, 2013 at 10:00 AM in St. Aloysius Catholic Church Leonardtown, MD with Father John Dakes officiating.  Interment will follow in Charles Memorial Gardens Leonardtown, MD. 

Visitation:
 

The family will receive friends on Monday, February 4, 2013  in St. Alyosius Catholic Church Leonardtown, MD from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM with prayers recited at 7:00 PM followed by Fire Department and Lions Club prayers at 7:15PM. 
 

Walter Kirk Sterling, 85 of Leonardtown, MD passed away on January 30, 2013 in Cheverly, MD.  Born May 4, 1927 in Leonardtown, MD, he was the son of the late Lynwood Joseph and Ruth Camalier Sterling. Kirk was one of seventeen children.  He is survived by his wife Regina “Lay” A. Sterling whom he married on May 28, 1949 in St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Morganza, MD, he is also survived by many nieces and nephews along with a host of relatives and friends.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings; L. Edward Sterling, John B. Sterling, William O.E. Sterling, Francis C. Sterling, Ruth E. King, Nelson Sterling, James H. Sterling, Eleanor J. Sharpe, Harris B. Sterling, Ernest A. Sterling, Linwood J. Sterling, Lucille R. Cheseldine, Mary Catherine Bell, Hugh Dalton Sterling, Mary Theresa Sterling, and an infant brother. Kirk was a lifelong resident of St. Mary’s County and a graduate of St. Mary’s Academy, class of 1945.  He was employed by NATC, for 30 years retiring on May 7, 1982.  Kirk was the Secretary for the St. Mary’s County Electrical Board, past Chief and Lifetime member, (47 years) of the Leonardtown Volunteer Fire Department, King Lion “Lion’s Club”, Captain “National Guard”; he was also a member on the Committee for the Veterans Memorial “Leonardtown, MD.”  The family will receive friends on Monday, February 4, 2013 in St. Aloysius Catholic Church from 5:00PM to 8:00PM with prayers recited at 7:00PM followed by Fire Department and Lions Club prayers at 7:15PM.  A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, February 5, 2013 at 10:00AM in St. Aloysius Catholic Church, with Father John Dakes officiating.  Interment will follow in Charles Memorial Gardens, Leonardtown, MD.  Pallbearers will be; Gary Sterling Bell, Joseph Andrew Bell, Thomas W. Bell, III, Mark J. Bell, Shawn M. Hull, and Bernard Beavan.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Leonardtown Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 50, Leonardtown, MD 20650 and/or Leonardtown Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 299, Leonardtown, MD 20650 Arrangements provided by the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, Leonardtown, MD

Guestbook Signatures and Condolences

"My deepest and heartfelt sympathy to you Lay and the family. May you find comfort in knowing that "Kirk" is at peace. Cherish and remember all of the beautiful memories and good times as it will help you get pass all of the days ahead. God Bless You All."
- Sarah Jean (Hammett) Pingleton
- Posted: Tuesday, February 5, 2013

"Dear Lay - Because you and Kirk were such a constant, fun, and loving presence throughout my childhood, I can't believe that he's no longer here with us. I'm sure he's smiling down and watching over us though. Please know that you're in my thoughts and prayers and I hope to see you soon. Love, Marylee"
- Marylee Candela Kreamer
- Posted: Tuesday, February 5, 2013

"Kirk and I played together as children and served Masses as Altar boys together. He was a wonderful friend and will be missed more than words can say. My deepest sympathy to you Lay."
- Eddie Stokel
- Posted: Monday, February 4, 2013

"My deepest sympathies on the loss of Ms. Sterling. He will definitely be missed from our community. May God's love comfort you during this time of sorrow."
- Regina Bowman-Goldring (St. Aloysius Church)
- Posted: Monday, February 4, 2013

"Our sincerest sympathy to all the family and friends of Kirk. He was a wonderful man! We recall how he loved serving Leonardtown and the County and was so well respected by many. May he now be greatly blessed for all that he did for so many! Please know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers."
- Mike and Millie Huseman
- Posted: Monday, February 4, 2013

"Dear Lay: We were so saddened to learn of Kirk's Accident and Passing; I don't have to tell you how much Danny and I thought of him, and how very much my "boys" loved Kirk. They often said how much he reminded them of "Uncle Harris" in his actions and deeds. As you know, I lived right next door to "Miss Ruth" and the entire Sterling Family and when I was about 6 years old my Mom and Dad (Johnnie & Bob Hunt) were going to be away for one night and asked "Miss Ruth" if I could spend the night at her house; well, she gave me "Kirk's Bed" & he was NOT at all happy about that; over top of the bed hanging from the ceiling were many, many airplanes Kirk had made (he always loved aviation). Well, before I went to sleep, Kirk came into the room and whispered in my ear: "you see all those airplanes hanging from the ceiling? I said yes, and he then said: "they are filled with little men who are going to come down during the night and suck all the blood out of your throat!" Ha, Ha. To make my point, I didn't sleep at all that night! He was a wonderful, kind man,and it was a blessing to have lived next door to the Sterlings my entire childhood. I know Gerald, Betty & Harris were there to meet Kirk when he entered Heaven! Love to you always, Lay! God Bless and keep you always. "
- Danny and Pat (Abell) Guy
- Posted: Monday, February 4, 2013

"My thoughts and prayers are with those left behind as you soar with the Angels in Heaven now. You are well loved and missed. Glenda Ann Abell Family."
- Glenda Abell
- Posted: Monday, February 4, 2013

" To Mrs Sterling: I'm sure you don't remember me, but I worked with Kirk in the Ordnance Branch from 1976 to his retirement. Kirk was a true gentleman, one of the finest men I've ever known. Some of my best memories are of lunches with him at The Roost. He was a true friend and a fantastic mentor;the world could use more like him. Neal Siegel "
- Neal Siegel
- Posted: Monday, February 4, 2013

"KIRK WAS A FINE GENTLEMAN. I WAS VERY PROUD TO HAVE KNOWN HIM. HE SERVED HIS COUNTRY WELL."
- DIGGER O'DELL
- Posted: Sunday, February 3, 2013

"Lay, Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this sad time. "
- J. Louis & Elinor Mattingly
- Posted: Sunday, February 3, 2013

"LAY, WE ARE SO SORRY TO HEAR OF YOUR LOSS, KIRK WAS SUCH A NICE MAN AND ALWAYS HAD A SMILE. HE WILL BE MISSED BY SO MANY. OUR THOUGHTS & PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU LAY AT THIS SAD TIME. KIRK REST IN PEACE AND THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES."
- JAMIE & BRENDA MATTINGLY
- Posted: Sunday, February 3, 2013

"Uncle Kirk, We'll miss you so much. You have always been the example of kindness, thoughtfulness and love toward your family and all that you came in contact with. Our Thanksgiving dinner and family gatherings will not be the same without you. Aunt Lay, Karen and I can't express how sorry we are for your loss. You have our deepest sympathy and love. Love Drew "
- Drew Steever
- Posted: Sunday, February 3, 2013

"Lay: Please know you're in our thoughts and prayers during this most difficult time. Kirk was such a fine example to us all at St. Aloysius - he was always "leading the charge" in his volunteerism. He is now 'reaping his rewards'. May he rest in peace."
- Mike & Cece Price
- Posted: Saturday, February 2, 2013

"I was so sorry to hear about Kirk. We lived next to the Sterlings for many years. Kirk and Lay were good neighbors, and he will be missed by many. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you."
- Bill Dean
- Posted: Saturday, February 2, 2013

"Our thoughts and prayers are with you Lay during this time of sorrow. My memories of Kirk are that he was a leader and a hard worker. He walked this earth with confidence and was a great role model to those that were willing to learn. He will be remembered by many. God Bless you. "
- Dale Abell
- Posted: Friday, February 1, 2013

"Lay, I was deeply saddened to hear about Kirk. What a gracious, kind and all around nice gentleman. I loved to talk to him when he came into the Printing Press, he always had a smile to share. He will be truly missed by everyone. We have lost another Icon in Town. RIP Kirk."
- Shirley Copado
- Posted: Friday, February 1, 2013

"Lay, our hearts are heavy with sadness over the loss of Kirk but our memories are full of love and kindness he gave us over the years. Kirk was the best of neighbors. He always had a big smile and handshake to greet us. Please call on us at any time with anything that you may need. We will always be there for you. "
- Mike and Brenda Filby
- Posted: Friday, February 1, 2013

"Dear Lay&Family,I am so sorry to hear of Kirk's passing.He was such a wonderful person and I know you will miss him dearly.My thoughts and prayers are with you."
- Shi4rley & Eddie Quade
- Posted: Friday, February 1, 2013

"We will miss Kirk's wonderful smile, he was a devout Catholic and a great example of faith in action in his service to Aloysius Church"
- Theresa Dent
- Posted: Friday, February 1, 2013

"Dear Lay, My thoughts and prayers are with you in this time of great loss. I know that my Uncle Charles and Aunt Beck were glad to see kirk and they all talk about all of the good times that they had. My God be with You "Rest In Peace Kirk. "
- Clareence & Celeste Bowles
- Posted: Thursday, January 31, 2013

"Mrs. Sterling, I was so sorry to hear about Kirk. You know Kirk was like a brother to my father. My first memories of Kirk was updating the electric panel from fuses to circut breakers at my fathers house and not taking one dime from him for the work. I know they had a close bond with each other. You're in my prayers. Sincerely, the Stokel family."
- Mark Stokel
- Posted: Thursday, January 31, 2013

"You are in my thoughts and prayers. Kirk was such a kind and gentle person."
- Mary Ann Longmore
- Posted: Thursday, January 31, 2013

"To Lay and the Sterling family: Its like the end of a era and I'm so sorry for your loss. Kirk was one of the finest gentleman I knew. He will be missed. I can just imagine the reunion planned to greet him. I love large families. Dad was one of 14, all have gone on and Mom was one of 12 with 2 remaining. Our families all knew each other, and will be with each other in a different way. Kirk will be in my thoughts and prayers with you as well. Let me know if I can help in any way. Love, Mary Agnes"
- Mary Agnes (Jammett) Plunkett
- Posted: Thursday, January 31, 2013

"Aunt Lay, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I hope my Husband Steve and I can follow in you footsteps having long and loving time together that you and Uncle Kirk had. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Sorry i live so far away and can not be with you at this time. All my Love, Eleanor Lee Sharpe Sigafoose"
- Eleanor Lee Sharpe Sigafoose
- Posted: Thursday, January 31, 2013

"Lay, you are in my thoughts and prayers."
- Audrey Pratt
- Posted: Thursday, January 31, 2013

"Lay, I am sorry to hear the news of Lion Kirk's passing. I have known you and Kirk my entire life and am proud that I was able to serve with Kirk in the Fire Department and Lions Club. There was no more dedicated person than Kirk Sterling. Age never kept him down and neither did broken hips or other health issues, he just kept plugging along. I will miss seeing him at Lions Club and all the great stories he would tell. I truly feel like another connection to my Father has gone with the loss of Kirk. I wish you peace in these trying days ahead and will say prayers for both you and Kirk. Something tells me he had a heck of a reception when he got to Heaven! God Bless you and thank you for sharing Kirk with all of us!"
- Charlie Breck
- Posted: Thursday, January 31, 2013

"Dear Lay, We are praying for you and hoping you will find strength through your time of loss. If there is anything you need we are close at hand to help. We will miss seeing Uncle Kirk as that terrific person and special character. Seeing him was like having a part of our own father with us. Both of them can watch over us all now. With deepest sympathy, Ron and Gail Ridgell "
- Gail Sterling Ridgell
- Posted: Thursday, January 31, 2013

"Our condolences to the Sterling family. Kirk was an "officer and a gentleman." It was a priviledge to serve with him in the Maryland National Guard."
- Ed and Donna Fitzgerald
- Posted: Thursday, January 31, 2013

"To the Sterling Family: You are in our thoughts and prayers"
- Larry & Cora Norris
- Posted: Thursday, January 31, 2013

"Lay and family - Your loss is also felt by all of St. Mary's County. Kirk was tireless in his support of this county and its citizens. I'm grateful to have known him for so long - from Ordnance Systems Branch days until now. He will be missed! "
- Stephanie Hampton
- Posted: Thursday, January 31, 2013

"Uncle Kirk, I will miss you."
- Gordon Steever
- Posted: Thursday, January 31, 2013

"To the Sterling Family: You are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time."
- Kenny Dement & Mary Dean
- Posted: Thursday, January 31, 2013

"Kirk was the best neighbor anyone could ever have! He was like a second Dad. He was always there to lend a helping hand and always fix Dad's electrical issues. It is comforting to know that Dad now has his buddy upstairs with him but we will miss him greatly down here. "
- Suzanne Scott and Katie Mower
- Posted: Thursday, January 31, 2013

"r.i.p.,kirk"
- anon ymous
- Posted: Thursday, January 31, 2013