Obituaries for Monday, July 5

Joseph R. Stachowiak

COLUMBIA, S.C. -- Joseph Richard Stachowiak, 73, of Cayce, S.C., died Saturday, July 3, 1999, at his residence.
He was born in Detroit, Mich., a son of the late Joseph Jerome and Mary Winifred Patton Stachowiak.
His wife, Audrey May Powers Stachowiak, formerly of Clarksburg, survives.
Also surviving are two stepsons, Ken Copley, Rincon, Ga., and Ron Copley, Wilmington, N.C.; one stepdaughter, Ann Godfrey, Cayce; four brothers, John Stachowiak, East Point, Mich., James Stachowiak, Columbia, Paul Stachowiak, Detroit, Mich., and David Stachowiak, Michigan; three sisters, Teresa Strogh, Gloria Carroll, and Frances Busch, all of Detroit; six stepgrandchildren, 11 stepgreat-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
He was also preceded in death by two brothers, Jerry and Tony Stachowiak; and one sister, Marie Woodell.
Mr. Stachowiak was a U.S. Navy veteran.
He was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, served as Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Detroit, and was a member of St. Peter's Catholic Church.
Mr. Stachowiak worked for the Grand Trunk Railroad for over 40 years.
He was an active volunteer with the Tri-City Leisure Center after his retirement.
Friends will be received at the Greenlawn Memorial Park & Funeral Home, 845 Leesburg Rd., Columbia, from 11 a.m.-noon today. A funeral service will be held at noon today in the funeral home chapel.
Memorials may be made to the Tri-City Leisure Center, Seniors Program.

Ronald Stalnaker

GLENVILLE -- Ronald "Gene" Stalnaker, 71, of Grass Run, Letter Gap Community, Gilmer County, died Friday, July 2, 1999, at his residence on Tater Knob following a farm accident.
He was born July 17, 1927, in Gilmer County, a son of Wynona Brannon Stalnaker, Grass Run, and the late Okey Stalnaker Jr.
His wife, the former Audra Ancell Stalnaker, survives.
Also surviving are one son, Ronald Gene Stalnaker Jr., Grass Run; four daughters, Barbara Miller, Judith Smith, and Sheri L. Wildman, all of Grass Run, and Sandi Rankin, Mentor, Ohio; three brothers, Richard "Dick" Stalnaker and William "Bill" Stalnaker, both of Glenville, and Okey L. Stalnaker, Grass Run; and seven grandchildren.
Mr. Stalnaker was a local businessman, oil and gas producer and farmer.
He was a veteran of World War II stationed in Japan.
Mr. Stalnaker was a 50 year member of the Hardman Fork Baptist Church on Grass Run where he was also a deacon.
Friends will be received at the Ellyson Mortuary, Glenville, from 5-9 p.m. today, and 10-11 a.m. Tuesday at the Hardman Fork Baptist Church, Grass Run. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the church with Elder Charles Fisher and Elder Larry Fisher officiating. Interment will follow in the Meadow Lane Cemetery, Glenville.

Earnest R. Sterling

BRIDGEPORT -- Earnest R. Sterling, 80, of Severna Park, Md., died Saturday, July 3, 1999, at his residence.
He was born Nov. 2, 1918, in Kingwood, a son of the late Charles J. and Edith Johns Sterling.
His wife, Dorothy E. Finley Sterling, survives.
Also surviving are one son, Earnest R. Sterling II, Phenix City, Ala.; six daughters, Virginia P. McDonough, Baltimore, Md., Helen Cleavenger, Grafton, Nancy S. Polak and Pamela S. Kidd, both of Severna Park, Patricia A. Hachat, Vine Grove, Kent., and Debra L. Gibson, New Bern, N.C.; two brothers, Carmel Sterling, Warren, Ohio, and Wallace Sterling, Lewis, Dela.; one sister, Mrs. Willard (Helen Beatrice) Sandy, Adamston; 20 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.
He was also preceded in death by four brothers, Charles Sterling, Clarence Sterling, John Sterling, and an infant brother; and three sisters, Lucille Gray, Virginia Sterling, and Carmella Brown.
Mr. Sterling previously worked as a foreman for the Clinchfield Mines in Harrison County, and the Carmichael Auto Body in Clarksburg.
He enjoyed his family, fishing and wood working.
Friends will be received at the Allen Funeral Home, 215 E. Main St., Bridgeport, from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. today. Mr. Sterling will lie in state from 10-11 a.m. Tuesday at the Bethel Temple Church, Bridgeport. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the church with the Rev. Virgil Wilson conducting the service. Interment will follow in the Floral Hills Memorial Gardens. The military veterans council will conduct full military rites at graveside.

Rebecca L. Stire

BRIDGEPORT -- Rebecca Lynn Stire, of Mt. Clare, died Sunday, July 4, 1999, at Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown.
She was born June 24, 1999, in Clarksburg, a daughter of Joni Lynn Sandy, Mt. Clare, and Thomas Lee Stire, Quiet Dell.
Also surviving are her maternal grandparents, Debbi Allen, Mt. Clare, and Lynn Sandy, Mt. Clare; paternal grandparents, Ronald and Kathy Stire, Quiet Dell; maternal great-grandparents, John and Adaline Sandy, Mt. Clare, and Hoy Allen, Center Branch; paternal great-grandparents, Luther Elliott, Quiet Dell, and Ronald and Carolyn Stire, Quiet Dell; and one aunt, Brandi Sandy, Mt. Clare.
She was preceded in death by one maternal great-grandmother, Irene Allen; and one paternal great-grandmother, Ann Elliott.
Friends will be received at the Burnside Funeral Home, 607 S. Virginia Ave., Bridgeport, from 2-8 p.m. Tuesday and noon-1 p.m. Wednesday at the Quiet Dell United Methodist Church. A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the church with the Rev. Mary Ellen Finegan presiding. Interment will follow in the Floral Hills Memorial Gardens.
In addition to flowers, donations may also be made to the family of Rebecca Lynn Stire to be used according to the wishes of the family at Route 1 Box 537 B, Mt. Clare, WV 26408.