Iona Mae (Buhrow) Stern, 86, of Sterling, IL, died Tuesday morning, July 11, 2017, at her home, surrounded by her family.
Iona was born January 1, 1931, in Coleta, IL, the daughter of Edward and Lura (Martin) Buhrow. She married Lloyd Stern on November 26, 1948, at First Evangelical Lutheran Church of Jordan.
Iona was a homemaker most of her life and was later employed at GE in Morrison, IL, retiring in 1989. She was a member of First Lutheran Church of Jordan, Women of the Moose, American Legion Auxiliary and Gem Club of GE. During her lifetime she enjoyed bowling, camping, traveling, snowmobiling, and raising chickens. She spent winters in Las Vegas and Florida, frequenting many flea markets and second-hand stores. She loved spending time with family, especially grandkids and great-grandkids, and always had her camera.
She is survived by six children, Marsha Stern of Sterling, Gloria Ivey (Kelby Ottens) of Morrison, Ron (Betty) Stern of New Albany, MS, Sandra Stern, Pamela (Terry) Papoccia, and Tammy (Derek) Stockdale, all of Sterling; ten grandchildren, Jason (Mandy) Cassens, Jaime (Scott) Milligan, Ryan (Sarah Jones) Marshall, Crystal (Arthur) Buzzard, Amber (Jason) Gullick, Sydnee (Alex) Hogue, Kendra (Cody) Gullick, Nellie (Jamison) Burke, Hannah Papoccia, and Alex Stern; one step-grandson, Jason Malone of MS; 24 great-grandchildren; two step-great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Lloyd; one son, Randy; granddaughter, Brittany Ivey; two brothers, Elwyn and Merlyn Buhrow; special friend, Chuck Eller.
Visitation will be from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., Thursday, July 13, 2017, at Schilling Funeral Home & Cremation, Sterling, IL.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Friday, July 14, 2017, at the funeral home, with the Reverend Jamie Gallagher, of First Evangelical Lutheran Church, officiating.
Burial will be at Oak Knoll Memorial Park, Sterling, IL.
A memorial has been established.