03/14/2014
Garl Vance Sterling, Jr. was born on March 1, 1946, in Knoxville, Iowa. His parents were Garl Vance and Pauline Lucille (Rickett) Sterling.
Garl graduated from Knoxville High School in Knoxville with the Class of 1964. He was a member of the National Honor Society and participated in many extracurricular activities.
Garl was united in marriage with Nanci Kimm and to this union one daughter was born, K. Paige.
When the Viet Nam War began, Garl enlisted in the United States Navy and received a B.A. Degree from the University of LaVerne in Maryland.
While being stationed in Naples, Italy he met Adele Nicolardi and they were united in marriage in Naples on October 3, 1970. Garl and Adele became the proud of three daughters: Lara Pauline, Elena Taryn and Erika Anna. Garl served as a flag office writer, flag secretary, records management officer and an administrative assistant to the Admiral during his 26 years of active duty with the Navy. Fifteen of these years were spent overseas which enabled he and Adele to live and travel all over the world. He became a Lieutenant Commander and Limited Duty Officer prior to his retirement from active duty in 1990. They then moved to Indianola, Iowa where he continued doing administrative work and in 2000 they relocated to Orlando, Florida. Garl’s last employment was with the System in Orlando.
Garl enjoyed music and loved fishing and spending time with his family.
On Friday morning, March 14, 2014, he passed away at his residence in Orlando at the age of 68 years.
Garl is survived by his wife, Adele, of Orlando; four daughters: Paige Sterling of Ankeny, Iowa, Lara and her husband, Gary Dobis of Orlando, Elena Sterling of Brooklyn, New York, Erika Sterling of Orlando; five grandchildren: Sashin Sterling, Sean Reynolds, Liam Dobis, Colin Dobis, and Kiera Dobis; his brother, Ronald Sterling and his wife, Mary Ann of Pella, Iowa; and his two sisters: Charlotte (James) Davidson of Carlisle, Iowa, Cheryl Scott and Dan George of St. Mary, Iowa; along with several nieces and nephews.
Garl was preceded in death by his parents, Garl and Pauline Sterling.
Garl was always friendly and had a kind word and smile for everyone. He was very charismatic and a man of great character and integrity.
Funeral Services will be held Thursday, March 20, 2014 at 10:00 a.m.
Williams Funeral Home, Knoxville, Iowa
Interment will be in the Iowa Veterans Cemetery at Adel, Iowa at 12:30 p.m.
Visitation will begin after 1:00 p.m. Wednesday at Williams Funeral Home where the family will be present Wednesday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.