Sterling J. "Ster" Welling

Sterling J. "Ster" Welling, age 22 of Milford Township passed away at Miami Valley Hospital on Sunday, November 28, 2010 at 9:54 AM. He was born in Middletown on July 30, 1988 the son of James and Tamara (Kerby) Welling. Sterling was a 2007 graduate of Talawanda High School, and was in his second year as an electrical apprentice at Wagner and Smith, where he was employed. He was a member of IEBW Local #648. Sterling enjoyed playing in local softball leagues, was an avid University of Michigan fan, and loved listening to a variety of music.

He is survived by his mother, Tamara Welling of Somerville; a sister, Tashina Welling of Somerville; grandparents Charles and Doris Kerby of Somerville, and John A. Welling of Middletown; three uncles, Tim (Tonya) Kerby, Greg (Mona) Kerby, and Jerome (Libby) Welling, who turned Ster’s life around; two aunts, Jenny (Chuck) Burns and Jane (Mike) Fishbaugh; his beautiful girlfriend, Katie Smith; a niece, Charlee Lynn, who was the joy of his life; and many close cousins and friends whom he adored. He was preceded in death by a brother, Lee Welling; his father, James Welling; grandmother, Mitzi Welling; an uncle, Johnny Welling; and several close friends.

Funeral service will be held at the Brown-Dawson Funeral Home, 1350 Millville Avenue, on Thursday, December 2, 2010 at 12:00 noon with Pastor Rodney White of Princeton Pike Church of God officiating. Burial will follow in Collinsville Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Thursday from 10:00 AM to 12:00 noon. The family extends a heartfelt thank you to the staff of ICU at Miami Valley Hospital, and the staff of Life Connections of Ohio, especially Matt Bailey. Sterling, as an organ donor, passed on the gift of life to six others.