Bernie passed away on Saturday, January 23, 2016, at Whealdon Estates. He was 73, and was a retired Captain of the United States Air Force. He was a member of St. Francis Xavier Parish, was a lifetime member of the VFW (Sierra Nisei Post 8499, Fresno, CA), and was a 1965 graduate of Southern University. He is survived by two sons, Joseph Sterling, Jr. and his mother Vivian Chalette; and Chad David Sterling and his mother, Mary Kay Wooten Sterling. He is also survived by his seven siblings: Anthony Sterling, William Sterling, Vivienne Sterling Delgado, Chiquita Sterling Browne, Michael Sterling, Christopher Sterling, and Sean Sterling James. He was preceded in death by his parents, William S. Sterling, Sr. and Marcella Bernard Sterling; maternal grandparents, Joseph and Vivian Bernard; and paternal grandparents, Christopher and Georgia Sterling. His family would like to thank his caregivers and the staff at Southern Care Hospice. A memorial Mass will be celebrated at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 1120 Myrtle Walk, on Thursday, January 28, 2016, at 11 am. Funeral arrangements by Rabenhorst Funeral Home, 825 Government Street.
