George T. Sterler, age 98, of Sheldon, Iowa passed away on Saturday, August 17, 2019 at the Community Memorial Health Center in Hartley, Iowa.
His Funeral Service will be at 10:30 AM Saturday, August 24, 2019 at the United Methodist Church in Sheldon with Rev. Kevin Gingerich officiating.
Burial will be in the East Lawn Cemetery in Sheldon, Iowa with Full Military Honors by the McGlothen-Cowie Post of the American Legion #145 of Sheldon.
Visitation will be after 3:00 PM on Friday, August 23, 2019 with the family present from 5:00 pm to 7:00 PM the Vander Ploeg Funeral Home in Sheldon.
Arrangements are under the care of the Vander Ploeg Funeral Home; Sheldon, Iowa.
Online condolences may be sent to www.vanderploegfunerals.com
George T. Sterler was born March 12, 1921 in Ashton, IA, the son of Henry and Helen (Miller) Sterler. He graduated as valedictorian from Ashton High School in 1938. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1942 and went to flight school training to become a B-17 bomber pilot. He flew with the 338th Squadron of the 96th Bomb group over France and Germany. On his 29th mission, his aircraft was rammed by a German fighter plane causing a mid-air explosion. He parachuted out and he and his tail gunner were the only survivors. Upon capture, he was held in three different German POW camps. As Captain, he earned the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with Four Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart, POW Medal, European Ribbon and was a member of the Irvin Air Chute Caterpillar Club (successfully using a parachute to bail out of a disabled aircraft).
After returning to the states, he married Norma Kimmel on Nov. 22, 1945 at the Church of the Brethren. He worked at the Council Oaks grocery store, Montgomery Ward, and spent 36 years as a rural mail carrier, all in Sheldon. He was a beloved mail carrier who helped patrons out in all weather conditions. His wife preceded him in death on April 27, 1995 in Sheldon. After Norma died, George continued living at home until 2005, when he entered the Christian Retirement Home, in 2018 he went into Fieldcrest where he had been presently living. He passed away on Saturday August 17, 2019 at the Community Memorial Health Center in Hartley reaching the age of 98 years 5 months and 5 days.
After retiring he did volunteer work and was on various boards. He and his wife Norma were active members at the Sheldon United Methodist Church and were Stephens Ministers. George was a member of American Legion Post 145, VFW Post 7354, Prairie Queen Kiwanis, Ex POWs, Rural Letter Mail Carrier Association, Avenue of Flags and was also on the board of directors of BEECIN Hospice. A highlight in 1991 was when he and Norma were parade marshals for the Sheldon Celebration Day parade.
He is survived by a son, Lowell (Susan) Sterler of Scottsdale, AZ; a daughter, Rita Sterler of Iowa City, IA; a sister, Dorothy (Ray) Brink of Sheldon, IA; a sister-in-law, Donna Sterler of Sibley, IA; several nieces, nephews and many friends.
George was preceded in death by his wife, Norma; parents, Henry and Helen Sterler, brother, Merrill Sterler of Sibley and brothers-in-law, Loren (Ruby) Kimmel, Dayton (Delores) Kimmel and Richard (Clare) Kimmel.
“Blessed Be His Memory”
