JOSEPH COULBOURN STERLING, 79, of Crisfield, went home to be with the Lord Sunday, July 25, 2010 peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family.

Born October 20, 1930 in Crisfield, he was a son of the late Arlie Graham and Ada Virginia Cochrane Sterling.

He was a 1950 graduate of Mercersburg High School and furthered his education at Franklin and Marshall College and Goldy Beacom College.

A US Army veteran of the Korean War, he was a partner at the former Sterling & Handy Seafood Company along with his father, brother and uncle. After the business was sold, he was employed at Eastern Correctional Institution in Westover where he worked more than 12 years until his retirement. He was a faithful member of Immanuel United Methodist Church in Crisfield where he was president of the Baracca Sunday School class for more than 25 years, past-president of the United Methodist Men, started the New Beginnings Sunday School Class for couples in 2000, was Lay Leader, and served in numerous other offices within the church. He was also past-president of the AARP Crisfield Chapter, and was a former member of the Kiwanis and Elks Lodge #1044.

He enjoyed music, reading scripture, attending dinner theater, and traveling, especially to Sight & Sound in Lancaster; but most of all, he loved being with his family. They were very important to him.

He is survived by his wife of almost 53 years, Ruth Ellen Walters Sterling of Crisfield; two daughters, Patricia Ellen Sterling Draper and her husband John Willis Draper, Jr., of Centreville and Laurie Jane Sterling of Crisfield; two grandchildren, Ruth Ellen Draper and John Willis "Jack" Draper, III, both of Centreville; a sister, Ada Virginia Ammerman of Newport News, VA; a brother, Arlie Graham Sterling, Jr. of Norfolk, Massachusetts; and many special nieces and nephews.

Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Stanley Cochrane Sterling and Dr. James Andrew Sterling.

Funeral services will be Saturday, July 31, 2010 at 2 PM at Immanuel United Methodist Church in Crisfield where friends may call one hour prior. Pastors Stan Leonard and Kim Gilson will officiate. Interment with military honors and TAPS performed by his grandson will follow in Sunnyridge Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are requested to be sent to Immanuel U.M. Church Organ Fund, 206 W. Main Street, Crisfield, MD 21817 or to Coastal Hospice, P.O. Box 1733, Salisbury, MD 21802-1733.

Arrangements are in the care of Bradshaw & Sons Funeral Home in Crisfield. To send condolences, please visit www.bradshawandsonsfuneralhome.com