Sterlin Estel Marsh

Sterlin E. Marsh, 91, walked through the gates of Heaven on Wednesday, January 18, 2012. Sterlin was born October 25, 1920 in Pondfork, Missouri toSamuel Peter and Nola May (Melton) Marsh. He was 1 of 12 children. He attended the Lago Community School in the Ozarks, and played on the basketball and baseball team along with his brothers. He always loved horses and was a very good horseman as a young man. His job was to help on the family farm. He also helped raise a garden to help feed the family.

On March 18, 1941 he married the love of his life, Meda Simpson in Gainesville, MO. On March 31, 1942 they became parents of their one and only daughter, Patsy Marie Marsh. She was the apple of her Dad’s eye. In 1943 Sterlin was drafted into the United States Army during WWII. He served honorably with the 1st Infantry Division (The Big Red One) in the Philippine Islands and in New Guinea. After being honorably discharged, he returned to his home in Missouri to his wife and daughter.

In 1941, he moved his family to Seattle, WA to work in the shipyards as a welder. During the 1950’s he moved the family to Yakima, WA where he worked as a mechanic for Del Monte Cannery for six years. He also started his ministry at this time. His first pastorate was the Meade Avenue Gospel Tabernacle in Yakima. Pastorates in the Church of God include Ahtanum, Prosser, and Pasco churches in Washington, and Clara and Jackson in Mississippi. After retirement, he and Meda moved back to Wapato, WA. He is an ordained Bishop of the Church of God with headquarters in Cleveland, Tennessee. Sterlin traveled nationwide as an evangelist for the Church of God. He mentioned that one of his favorite places to minister was to the people of Alaska. Sterlin preached his final sermon to his fellow residents at the Emerald Care Nursing home on Sunday, January 8, 2012.

Sterlin was an excellent gardener. He raised flowers, grapes, blackberries, and a variety of vegetables which he preserved for the winter, sharing with neighbors and family. The family always looked forward to and enjoyed his blackberries.

Sterlin enjoyed time spent with family. Of course, there always had to be a baseball game. His brother, daughter, sister, and brother-inlaws, nieces and nephews, and friends had to participate. Sterlin always was the pitcher and his brother, Earl, was the catcher. This was a time Sterlin got excited, serious, and very competitive. Everyone always had a great time, win or lose!

Sterlin was preceded in death by his parents, five brothers, six sisters, and a grandson David Shelton Brock. He is survived by his wife, Meda Marsh of Wapato, WA, daughter Patsy Brock and her husband, Steve Brock, grandson Tony Brock and his wife Gwen, 3 great-grandchildren Victoria, Connor and Kendall all of Atlanta Georgia.

Sterlin is also survived by his spiritually adopted grandson Chris Singleton and wife Shunda, and their children, Sydney, Savannah, and Samuel.

Sterlin Marsh was greatly loved by all who knew him. He was a strong spiritual leader to his family, friends, and community.

Viewing will be held from 4 - 8 p.m. Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at the Keith & Keith Funeral Home, 902 W. Yakima Ave. Yakima, WA. A graveside service with full military honors will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at the Reservation Community Memorial Park, 516 W. Wapato Road in Wapato, WA. Following the gravesideervice, a

Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 p.m. at the Christian Life Center, 716 No. 40th Ave., in Yakima, WA. To share a memory

of Sterlin, visit www. keithandkeith.com.