Earl STERLING

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STERLING: Earl Sterling passed away at the Fairview Personal Care Home, Brandon, on Sunday, March 31, 2013 at the age of 88. Ewart “Earl” Sterling was born in Tilston, Manitoba on September 22, 1924. Earl is the second son of George and Alberta Sterling. He was raised and went to school in Tilston, but would have sooner been trapping gophers and gathering crow’s eggs. As he grew up in the Tilston area he took part in many sports like hockey, curling, and baseball. He enjoyed the outdoors working on the farm and family trips to the lake. He spent a lot of time with grandma and grandpa and aunts and uncles. In 1943 the Second World War was on in Europe and Earl signed up for the army. Earl received his basic training in Winnipeg and Shilo, Manitoba. After basic training was complete he went to Kingston, Ontario for a course on being a Signal Man. Once trained Earl went to Debert, Nova Scotia and was ready for service overseas. Earl flew to England on January 1, 1945 and was put into action shortly after in a field in Ghent, Germany as a Signal Man for the Queens Own Cameron Highlanders. When the war was over Earl transferred to the Winnipeg Rifles and served one year with the occupational forces in Germany until he was honorably discharged and was able to return to Tilston, Manitoba. On returning from the war Earl went right into helping his dad with the spring seeding, and rented land for himself to start farming with the hopes of making lots of money in a couple years and then buy a hotel for his future. What a dream. In 1946 to 1948 Earl took an Agriculture Diploma Course at the University of Manitoba. In the summer he would work on the farm with his dad George, and in the winter he worked in Winnipeg while going to school. When Earl finished school he returned to Tilston and continued farming with his dad and his own farm. In 1955 Earl married Florence Elizabeth (Betty) Cook of Pierson, Manitoba and started a family of their own on a farm that they bought from Grandpa Ed Sterling making Earl the third generation of Sterlings on the farm. The livestock was started with 2 heifers given to them by Fred and Agnes Cook and in the fall of 1956 Earl bought 200 sheep and raised them for several years. With the cattle and sheep herds growing, Earl leased extra land to accommodate the livestock. In the early years of the 1960’s the demand for sheep in Ontario grew and Earl and George sold the flock of sheep to farmers in Ontario, and concentrated more on the herd of cattle, which was less labor intensive. The first of eight children were born shortly after, Allen James 1956, Luella May 1957, Donna Earllyn 1960, Calvin Murray 1961, Ronald Gerald 1963, Beverley Arlene 1964, Bradley Earl 1966, and Stanley Keith 1967. In 1969 Earl and Betty decided to build a new home on the farm to accommodate their growing family, and moved into the new home in 1970. The new home was equipped with modern conveniences and made life a bit simpler. Throughout the years of living in Tilston, Earl was active in many organizations which included, rink committee, curling club, school board and community club. Earl acted as a Delegate for the Pool Elevator Board for 11 years. He also served 5 years as president of Arthur NDP Association, accepting the nomination to represent Arthur in the elections of 1977 and 1982. He was also the president of the Tilston Lion’s Club for a few years. Earl was very active in the Canadian Legion and was awarded with a 65 year service award. In July of 1982 Earl was appointed to the Land Value Appraisal Commission in Winnipeg, Manitoba by the Provincial Government Cabinet and served several years in this position. In 1981-82 it was decided to sell the herd of 110 cows and to continue on grain farming. In 1997 Earl and Betty decided to sell the farm and retire to the community of Melita, Manitoba where they stayed active with friends and family for several years. In 2009 Earl and Betty moved to Victoria Landing in Brandon, Manitoba to be closer to family living in the area. Earl and Betty took part in activities that were offered which included cards, Wii bowling, and seasonal activities like Halloween, Remembrance Day, Christmas, Valentine’s Day and Easter. With old age and medical problems showing in Earl, it was decided that he needed more care than family could provide, and was placed in the Fairview Care Facility. With Alzheimer’s setting in, Earl lived with no worries and was a fun character with nurses and family who visited until he passed away on March 31, 2013. Earl was predeceased by his father George, mother Alberta, brothers Gerald, Trevlyn, and Ray, and sister Orma. Earl leaves behind his wife Betty, children Allen, Luella, Donna, Calvin, Ron, Bev, Brad and Stan, and their families consisting of 16 grandchildren, and 8 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Earl was with family in his passing and will be missed greatly...

As published in Brandon Sun on Apr 13, 2013