Sterling Abernathy

CENTERVILLE, Ohio -- Sterling H. Abernathy, 89, of Centerville died Monday, Oct. 6, 2003, at Bethany Lutheran Village.

He was born June 28,1914, in Fordyce, Ark., son of Sterling and Louise Dalch Abernathy. He was married 58 years to Madge Obermiller. She preceded him in death by five days.

Mr. Abernathy 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 Quachita Baptist College in Arkadelphia, Ark. He received an ROTC commission in 1936 upon college graduation.

His military assignments included combat duty in Europe during World War II. 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, Ala.

His military decorations included Silver Star, Bronze Star, and Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster.

After retiring from the Army, he established and taught Army JROTC at Lee High School in Huntsville, Ala., eight years. He lived in Huntsville 34 years before moving to Centerville three years ago. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Huntsville, 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 a sister, Eloise Hamilton and husband Herbert of Little Rock, Ark.; two sons and daughters-in-law, Sterling and Nancy Abernathy III of Kettering, Ohio, Steve and Janet Abernathy of Kingwood, Texas; two grandchildren, Matthew Abernathy and Susan Abernathy of Kingwood.

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. today at David's Mausoleum, 4600 Mad River Road, Kettering, with the Rev. David Tackett officiating. Burial will be in David's Cemetery.

The family will greet friends from 10:30 to 11 a.m. at the mausoleum.

Routsong Funeral Home in Dayton, Ohio, is in charge of arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 307 Gates Avenue, Huntsville, Ala., 35801.

Condolences may be sent via the Web site at www.routsong. com.