Sterling Dean Forrester, 79, of Memphis, Missouri, passed away Friday, May 4, 2018, at Scotland County Hospital.
He was born January 2, 1939, at home in Tobin Township, Scotland County, Missouri, the only child of Francis Herman and Hazel Florine (Garrett) Forrester. He was the grandson of William Albert and Nellie Lee (Childers) Forrester and Ozro Clyde and Hazel Aleyne (Sweeney) Garrett.
Sterling attended and was a member of the Edinburg Baptist Church as a child. He was baptized into Christ on September 28, 1952 at the Memphis First Christian Church, where he later placed his membership.
He attended Edinburg grade school and graduated from Memphis High School in 1957. Sterling began six months of active military training in June 1957 under the Reserve Forces Act program at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. He received eight weeks of basic combat training, followed by advanced individual and unit training. Sterling was honorably discharged from the United States Army on January 31, 1965.
He married the former Katherine Elaine Ewing, daughter of Clark Baldwin and Katherine Madeline (Monroe) Ewing, on December 5, 1964 at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Gorin. Sterling and Elaine made their home in the Edinburg community south of Memphis until moving to Memphis in 2017. She survives.
Sterling engaged in farming on the family farm. He also did custom hay baling, combining, and grain hauling across Scotland County in addition to row crops and livestock farming. Sterling enjoyed fabricating and designing farm implements from metal. His metal fabrication business was named Tobin Creek Experimental Manufacturing. He spent hours in his shop behind a welding helmet or with a cutting torch in his hand. He had a passion for “aged iron” as well as a deep appreciation for antiques and primitive farm collectibles, especially Oliver tractors.
He was a member of and currently serving as treasurer of the Leslie-Chambers American Legion Post #395 in Gorin, Missouri, and a 50-year member of Greensburg Lodge No. 414 Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. Sterling was a lifetime member and past president of the Scotland County Historical Society, past president of the Scotland County Antique Fair Association, and a lifetime member of the Bible Grove Historical Preservation Committee.
He was preceded in death by his father in 1985 and mother in 2015.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Elaine, of the home; two daughters: Angela Westhoff, and husband, Scott, of Memphis and Alisa Kigar, and husband, Jim, of Bible Grove, Missouri; four grandchildren: Megan (Westhoff) Hamilton, and husband, Kenneth, of Maryville, Missouri; Shelby Westhoff, and fiancé, Chuck Hayes, of Novelty, Missouri; and Eli and Elsie Kigar of Bible Grove, Missouri; and three great-grandchildren: Harper, Hinton, and Hatcher Hamilton of Maryville, Missouri, sister-in-law Janet Deaton and her husband, Don, of Huntsville, Alabama, as well as many cousins and friends.
Funeral services are scheduled for 11 a.m., May 11, 2018, at the First Christian Church in Memphis, with Brother Jack Sumption officiating. Interment will be in the Edinburg Baptist Church Cemetery.
Visitation is from 9 a.m. – 8 p.m., Thursday, May 10 at the Gerth Funeral Home with the family greeting friends from 5-8 p.m.
Memorials are suggested to the: Edinburg Church and Cemetery, the Downing House Museum Complex, and the Memphis First Christian Church.
31 comments
Our thoughts and prayers for your family at this time. Patty & Elwood Agee
So very sorry to hear this Alisa & Angela! Please know you and your family are in my prayers! Brian & Rhonda
Our most heartfelt condolences to the entire Family Elaine Angela and Alisa . y’all know our thoughts, he made us smile, kept us entertained for sure. God Bless
Our most Heartfelt Condolences to the entire Family! Elaine, Angela and Alisa y’all know how we felt, he kept us entertained… God Bless You All
I am so sorry for your loss. I remember a time in the grocery store outside the state fair when grandma Beth said “that sounded just like sterling “. Then sure enough , not 30 seconds later here he comes around from the next isle. I shall always remember his open , friendly , and very extroverted laugh.
I apologize for not being able to be there at your time of grief but , my thoughts are with the family and may sterling Rest In Peace.
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this time and hoping special family memories will fill your hearts.
We are so very sorry for your loss. We have many fond memories of dear Sterling. We are thinking of all of his family.
Sterling was one of those rare people who will always be remembered when we tell past stories about people. He was always there for everyone. He helped people he barely knew and was great with kids. I have very fond memories of the times that we spent together and his laughter was heard for miles.
He will be missed by many but remembered by. All who were fortunate to know him.
Rest in piece my friend
Thinking of you!
So sorry for your loss. Hold onto your memories. Remember the fun and happy times, You have our deepest sympathy, God Bless each of you.
so sorry to hear this, elaine…he was one of them good ole guys…i can still remember him well, always had a toothpick in his mouth…an always just talked away about everything and anything, he had the gift of gab….my condolences to you and your family….God Bless
Angie and Alisa — my prayers are with your girls, your families and your mom.
Stay strong and know he leaves a Christian legacy of a great family.
Elaine & Family;
So sorry to hear of Sterling’s passing – you are in our thoughts and prayers.
We are so sorry for your loss Sterling was one of a kind, He will be missed, Dave & I always made it a point to see him at the Mo. State Fair, He was a good guy. Our thoughts and prayers go with you.
I can tell the most story’s. CARRY ON BUD MEMORYS SO MANY. WHAT DONNIE GONA DO THIS WEEKEND. WITH DAD AND MOM. CARRY ON . NEVER WILL FORGET TOOK ME EVERY WHERE SMARTEST MAN EVER.
Deepest sympathies to you, Elaine, and your family. You are in our prayers.
Elaine, Angela, Alisa and Families, we are so sad to hear of Sterling’s passing. Memories of stories he told and times he visited with Richard and the boys will not be forgotten!!! Sterling was one of a kind!!! We extend our sincerest sympathy to all of Sterling’s family. God bless and be with all of you.
Elaine, we are sad to hear of Sterling’s death. We’re praying for you, Angela, Alisa and Janet. I know that Sue, Joe, Anne, and Scott love your family as close cousins. Love and prayers, Debbie and John Gorham
Our deepest sympathies and all our love to you, Elaine, and the rest of the family.
So sorry for your loss. Know the feeling well. I and everyone else remembers fondly Sterling’s unique laugh.
God bless you Elaine and family.
So sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Elaine and Family, thinking of you.
Sorry for your loss, prayers for all.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you Elaine and girls. In sympathy, Duane & Sandra
We wish peace and much love to everyone. We love you, Alisa. Your Girls
Elaine and family. Sorry for your loss. Sterling will be missed by so many. Our prayers for your family.
Sending hugs n prayers to all of you Alisa Angela n Elaine From keith debbie logan n connor payne
Elaine and family. Sorry to hear about the loss of Sterling. All I can think to add to other comments is that he was one of life’s most memorable characters. I know he was to me. He is about the last of the Tobin Creek community that I grew up with. Prayers to all.
Dear Alisa and family,
We just saw the post honoring your dear father and were not aware of his passing. We were saddened and want you to know we send our deepest condolences on the death and loss of your dad. May your memories of him always bring a smile! He certainly left behind a wonderful daughter that has blessed many.
Elaine, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I’m so very sorry honey……
So sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Cheryl Hayes
So sorry to hear of Sterling’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
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