Joseph Earl Sterling Sr, born in Paragould, Arkansas, April 28, 1918, went to be with his Lord & Saviour, June 21, 2000. He served in WWII as an Army medic and was the third man ashore from his company on Omaha Beach on D-Day. He also spent time overseas during the Korean Conflict. He spent 24 years in the Army before retiring at Ft, Sill, Oklahoma in 1967. He was a lifetime member of the Disabled Veterans and the American Legion. He continued his government service at Tinker Air force Base as a printer and retired from government service in 1989. He married Mary Jo Highfill in 1940 and was married for 54 years. She preceded him in death in 1994. He is survived by 3 sons, Joseph Jr. of OKC, Timothy of Norman and James of OKC, a daughter, Diana of Washington State, 3 daughters-in-law , 1 son-in-law, 7 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. During his life on earth, he was loyal to his church and served as a deacon at one time. He ministered to everyone just by his living spirit as a Christian. Services will be 10:00 a.m., Sat., June 24, 2000 at Sunny Lane Southern Baptist Church with burial at Sunny Lane Cemetery.

Mary Jo, 69, of Del City, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 20, 1994. She was born Sept. 8, 1925 in Paragould, Arkansas to Everett and Audie (Walker) Highfill. She was a member of the Sunny Lane Southern Baptist Church. Mrs.. Sterling loved to quilt. On Jan. 18, 1941, Mary Jo married Joe Sterling Sr. in Paragould, AR. Survived by husband Joe Sterling Sr. of the home; a daughter Diane Baker of Spanaway, WA; 3 sons, Joe Sterling, Jr. of Oklahoma City, Tim Sterling of Norman, OK, and James Sterling of Oklahoma City; 7 grandchildren, 2 step grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren; 2 brothers, James Highfill of Gaualiel, AR and Harry Highfill of Rector, AR; 4 sisters, Barbara O'Dell of St. Charles, MO, Joyce Burr of Rector, AR., Ann Greenway of Piggott, AR, and Sharon Moore of Boydsville, AR. Services will be Friday Sept. 23, 1994, 10:00 a.m., Sunny Lane Southern Baptist Church with burial in Sunny Lane Cemetery. Dr. Jerry Don Abernathy, Rev. Steve Gniech and Rev Frank Wiley will officiate.