John W. "Bill" Stirling's Obituary
Longtime community icon and Alliance area funeral director, John W. "Bill" Stirling, died at the age of 87, on Monday, December 31, 2007. He was born in Washingtonville, Ohio on May 28, 1920, and had been an Alliance resident for most of his life. A 1940 graduate of Leetonia High School in Leetonia, Ohio, he served our country during World War II with the U.S. Navy, stationed in Alaska and in the South Pacific. While in the service, Bill served with the HMI Medic s and was a member of the Navy s Military Funeral Detail. Following his returning home from the war, Bill enrolled at the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science in Pittsburgh, Pa. During his time at the mortuary college, he served his fellow classmates as class treasurer and graduated in 1948. After graduation, he accepted a position at the Sharer Funeral Home and received his license from the State of Ohio in 1949. Bill later served during the Korean Conflict, again with the Navy, and after returning to Alliance, was employed with the Myers Funeral Home in Alliance as General Manager until 1968, when he purchased the Sharer Funeral Home. Adding his name to the business, he owned and operated the Sharer-Stirling Funeral Home from 1968 until 1986, when he sold the funeral home to Dan Skivolocke. Bill continued to remain active with the funeral home after retiring, and was present at most visitations and funeral services, until his recent illness last fall. In 1999, Mr. Stirling was recognized by the Ohio Funeral Directors Association for being licensed by the State of Ohio for 50 years. Throughout his devoted life to his community, he gave much of his time to the youth of Alliance and also loved to sing & entertain. Bill also enjoyed appearing as "Santa Claus" for many community gatherings and private parties. His authentic look as "Kris Kringle" had enabled him to bring joy to many people during his retirement. A member of St. Joseph Catholic Church of Alliance for over 60 years, he had sang in the choir and served as an usher for many of those years. He was also a former member of the Board of Directors at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. He was a life-member of the Knights of Columbus, 3rd & 4th Degrees, Council #558 and was a member of the K of C Bowling League, for which he had sponsored a team for many years. An active member of the Alliance Area Hot Stove League, he was a former member of their Board of Directors. Every year since 1941, he has sponsored a team called the "Stirling Celtics". Bill was elected into the Alliance Hot Stove "Hall of Fame", and was a recipient of their Cy Butler Award. A supporter of the Ulster Project for many years, he enjoyed helping Irish Exchange Students become familiar with life in America. He was a former member of the Board of Directors for the City of Alliance Parks Department, and a Century Member of the Alliance Y.M.C.A. Bill was a Past President and long-time member of Alliance Lion s Club. He was a former member of the Washington Ruritan Club and sang at many of their "Minstral Shows", and was a former member of the Lexington Ruritan Club. He also sang for many of the "Gee Haw Shows" sponsored by the West Township Ruritan Club. A Diving Instructor at Alliance High School during 1965, 1966, & 1967, he was also a diving instructor for a number of years for the Y.M.C.A. Mr. Stirling was the 1976 Recipient of the "Humanitarian Award" given by Channel One C.B. Club, for his exceptional humanitarian qualities; the 1985 Recipient of the "Golden Deeds Award" given by the Alliance Exchange Club for outstanding community services; and was the 1985 Grand Parade Marshall of the Carnation Festival Parade, an honor bestowed to a city resident for outstanding community involvement. Surviving are two sisters, Edith Hall of Leetonia, Ohio and Leona Wilson of Margate, Florida; several nieces and nephews; and many, many friends. Preceding him in death was his parents, Allan and Clara (O Neill) Stirling; a brother, James Stirling, killed in action in WWII; a brother, Patrick, who died in his youth from accidental poisoning, and an infant sister, Laura Anna Stirling. The community is invited to pay their respects on Sunday, January 6, 2008, from 12:00 noon until 9:00 p.m. at the Sharer-Stirling-Skivolocke Funeral Home. The family will be present from 7-9 p.m. A Knights of Columbus Service will be held at 9:00 p.m. Friends may also call on Monday, January 7, 2008, from 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at St. Joseph Catholic Church on Monday at 11:00 a.m. with the Rev. Fr. Donald L. Feicht as celebrant. Interment, with military honors provided by the Alliance American Legion Post 166 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1036, will follow at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery.
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