John Hance "Jack" Sterling, Jr., died Monday, May 5, 2014 at Peninsula Regional Medical Center in Salisbury.

Born in Crisfield August 19, 1932, he was the son of the late John Hance Sterling, Sr. and Betty Turpin Smith.

A graduate of Crisfield High School, he served in the US Coast Guard and he worked for the Department of Natural Resources inland division for many years before his retirement. He taught hunter's safety for the entire Eastern Shore for many years.

He was a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Marion where he was a member of the church vestry for many years and he also attended Mariners United Methodist Church in Crisfield. He was a member of the Crisfield Elks Lodge #1044 and the Stanley Cochrane Post #16 American Legion. He enjoyed collecting guns, and he loved animals, especially his beloved pets, Fritz and Sam. He was an easy going, loving person who didn't know a stranger and had many friends.

He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Betsy Carson Sterling; a son, John H. Sterling, III and wife Mary of Middletown, DE; a daughter, Missy Sterling of Delmar; sisters. Betsy Smith of Baltimore and Patti Ann Green and husband Lawrence of Crisfield; grandchildren, Sharon Puangco and husband Erik, John H. Sterling, IV, Emma Sterling, Michael Miles, Haven Trader, Amanda Humphreys and husband Justin, and Chuck Lee Carson; great-grandchildren, Madisyn Puangco, Lauryn Gonzales, and Michael Miles, Jr.; brothers-in-law, Leroy "Buddy" Carson, III and wife Marian Sue and Timothy "Timmy" Carson and wife Pat, all of Crisfield; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his step-son, Chuck Lee Carson in 2004.

Funeral services will be held Friday, May 9, 2014 at 2 PM at Bradshaw & Sons Funeral Home where a viewing will be held one hour prior. Father Mike Lokey will officiate and interment will follow in St. Paul's Episcopal Church Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to Lower Somerset County Ambulance and Rescue Squad, LSCARS, P.O. Box 406, Crisfield, MD 21817.

To send condolences, please visit www.bradshawandsonsfuneralhome.com