Sterling Henry Abernathy

ABERNATHY, Sterling H., 89, Centerville, OH, died October 6, 2003 at Bethany Lutheran Village. He was born June 28, 1914, in Fordyce, AR, a son of Sterling and Louise Dalch Abernathy. He was married for 58 years to Madge Obermiller. She preceded him in death by five days. He was a retired Army Colonel. He served over 30 years, starting in the horse Cavalry and later as an Infantry officer. He graduated from Fordyce High School and Ouachita Baptist College in Arkadelphia, AR. He received an ROTC commission in 1936 upon college graduation. His military assignments included combat duty in Europe during WWII. On D-Day, 1944, he landed in Normandy at Omaha Beach. He saw combat again during the Korean War. His foreign service included additional assignments in Korea and Germany. His final assignment was Comptroller, Army Missile Command, Redstone Arsenal, AL. His military decorations included: Silver Star, Bronze Star Medal, and Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster. After retiring from the Army, he established and taught Army JROTC at Lee High School, Huntsville, AL, for 8 years. He lived in Huntsville 34 years before moving to Centerville 3 years ago. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Huntsville, for 30 years, serving as deacon and elder. He was preceded in death by his brother, Col. William C. Abernathy, whose wife, Naomi, resides in Arlington, VA. Other survivors include: his sister, Eloise Hamilton and her husband, Herbert, Little Rock, AR; two sons and daughters-in-law, Sterling and Nancy Abernathy III, Kettering, OH, and Steve and Janet Abernathy, Kingwood, TX; and two grandchildren, Matthew Abernathy and Susan Abernathy, both of Kingwood. Funeral services will be held Thursday, October 9, 2003 at 11:00 AM at David's Mausoleum, 4600 Mad River Rd., Kettering with Rev. David Tackett officiating. Burial in David's Cemetery. Family will greet friends from 10:30-11:00 AM at the mausoleum. Memorial contributions may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 307 Gates Ave., Huntsville, AL 35801. Condolences may be sent via the website at www.routsong.com.

Funeral Home:
Kettering Routsong Funeral Home
2100 E. Stroop Rd.
Kettering, OH
US 45429