Brian Sterling

AUSTINTOWN - Funeral services will be held Thursday at 11 a.m. at the Crossroads Church, 554 South Meridian Road in Austintown for Brian G. Sterling Sr., 52, and Shirley A. Sterling, 47, who went home to the Lord early Saturday morning at their home.

Brian was born March 30, 1958, in Sharon, Pa., the son of Francis Gene and Urla June Gearhart Sterling.

Brian was a 1976 graduate of Sharon High School, where he lettered in marching and concert band. He was a member of the school bowling team, "The Kegglers" and was also involved with the Junior Achievements.

After high school, Brian enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corp. and was honorably discharged. He attended the University of Pittsburgh and the Youngstown State University.

For many years, he supervised a variety of Arby's Restaurants in Ohio. He became a regional manager for Clark Oil Company in Ohio and then for the Brinks Inc. of Youngstown. He was also a licensed insurance agent and was a tax preparer for many clients and small businesses. He enjoyed all sports and was an avid golfer.

Shirley was born Nov. 27, 1962 in New Castle, Pa., the daughter of Howard "Fritz" and Monica M. Vrabel Bader.

Shirley was a 1981 graduate of Springfield High School, where she was a majorette and on the track and field, volleyball, and basketball teams. She then attended Youngstown State University.

She managed the Arby's in Austintown for over 25 years and sold Avon. She was the former president of Austintown Colts Football. She collected precious moments and enjoyed playing golf.

Brian and Shirley were married July 27, 1984. They enjoyed spending time with family and friends, along with their dogs, Cooper and Gus. They were actively involved with youth sports in the Austintown area. Also in their spare time they enjoyed gardening and hosting family outings.

Brian and Shirley leave their three children, Brian G. Jennifer Sterling Jr., Paula R. Sterling and Adam X. Sterling, all of Austintown; his mother, Urla J, Sterling of Hermitage, Pa.; his father, Francis Gene Sterling and companion, Nancy Walpole of Niles; his two sisters, Paula R. Scott Sterling-Gladysz of St. Augustine, Fla. and Marilyn William Bayer of Zelienople, Pa.; his three brothers, Donald G. Susan Sterling and three children of Shaekleyville, Pa., Brett A. Lisa Sterling and four children of Sharon, Pa. and Bradley A. Andrea Sterling and two children of Sharon; her mother, Monica M. Bader of New Middletown; her sister, Diane "Dee" Danny Chipps of New Middletown; her two brothers, Jeff Bader of Mount Jackson and Michael Pam Bader of New Middletown; her niece, Jayme Chipps; and her three nephews, Eric and Patrick Bader and Danny Chipps.

They were preceded in death by her father; his grandparents, Don C. and Anna-Katherine Sterling and Glenn and Christine Gearhart; his aunt, Arlene Gearhart; and his two uncles, Darrell F. Sterling and Glenn R. Gearhart.

Family and friends may call Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m. and Thursday from 10 to 10:45 a.m. at the Crossroads Church.

In lieu of flowers, material tributes may take the form of donations to the family.

Professional arrangements are entrusted by the Higgins-Reardon Funeral Home Austintown Chapel.