Robert C. Sterling, 90, of Oil City, died peacefully Monday night, May 29, 2017 at Oil City Healthcare, following a brief illness. 

                He was born in Bredinsburg on February 25, 1927 to the late Clyde E. and Neva L. (Cox) Sterling.

                Bob graduated from Cranberry High School in 1945 and served for a short period in the U.S. Navy during World War II. 

                He was an active member of the Petrolia Lodge No. 363 Free and Accepted Masons, where he held numerous offices through the years. 

                Mr. Sterling was a member of Grace United Methodist Church in Oil City. 

                Bob enjoyed golfing, bowling, and coaching Pony League. 

                In his earlier years, he was employed by Pennzoil and Oil City Glass.  He retired in 1991 from the County of Venango, where he served as the assistant superintendent at Two-Mile Run County Park. 

                He was married in Leeper on December 6, 1951 to the former Shirley "Jean" Dahle, and she survives. 

                Also surviving are three sons:  Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Sterling and his wife Dara of Mars, Rev. Jay Sterling and his wife Martha of Conneaut  Lake, and Jon Sterling and his friend Sharon of Oil City; six grandchildren: Shelah Woodruff and her husband Shawn of Prospect, Kentucky, Evan Sterling and his partner Shannon of Fairbanks, Alaska, Sarah Ostop and her husband Jacob of Pittsburgh, Joanna Sterling of New York City, Lydia Sterling of Conneaut Lake, and Ian Sterling and his partner Erica of Oil City; and four great-grandchildren. 

                Surviving also is his sister, Ida Mae Kirschner;  two sisters-in-law, Katy Neisslein and Mary Ann Dahle; a brother-in-law, Robert Dahle and his wife Sue; and numerous nieces and nephews. 

                In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Delora Drennen. 

                A memorial service will be held Monday (June 5th) at 11 a.m. at Grace United Methodist Church, 100 Central Ave. in Oil City.  Friends and family will be received at the church beginning at 10 a.m.  Rev. Byron Myers, church pastor will officiate, assisted by Rev. Jay Sterling and Rev. Jeffrey Sterling. 

                Private interment will be in the Bredinsburg Cemetery, Cranberry Township, Venango County. 

                The Hile-Best Funeral Home in Seneca, Cranberry Township is completing funeral arrangements. 

                Memorial contributions may be made to Grace United Methodist Church, 100 Central Ave., Oil City, PA  16301.

                Condolences may be expressed to Bob's family online by visiting www.hilebest.com 

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