Fred E Sterling

Fred E Sterling departed this modern world on Thursday, March 19, 2026.

Fred, affectionately known as “Big Fred” and “The Old Boy” was born in Evergreen Park, IL to the late Fred A. and Mary Sterling (maiden name Hayes). He was married to Judy “Jude” (maiden name Stripeik) for 62 years. They raised a marvelous family together in Palos Hills, IL; first born son, Eric (Camille Piazza) and their stepchildren Pearl, Catrina, and Jeena; second born son, Fred (Sue) and their children Elise and Logan;and a daughter Laura (Sandro Hernandez) Sterling and Laura’s daughter Jennah, wife of Tim Davis. He was a dear brother to two sisters, Betty Ann Carsten and the late Marylou (married name Vandermeyden).

Fred retired from International Brotherhood of “Teamsters” (705 & 710). He was indeed an excellent driver, that traversed Chicagoland in an 18-wheeler for most of his working life. A true Southsider. Although, he knew the entire city of Chicago like the back of his hand.Every street / intersection, viaduct, railroad crossing, and shortcut around the city of big shoulders would always turn into a topic of conversation. For a short time, he also ran a roofing business with his brother-in-law (Bill Stripeik). After retirement Fred found a second career as an antiques dealer (Sterling’s Worthy Relics) with his loving wife “Jude.”

He loved shooting pool, fishing, playing cards, draft beer in a frosty mug, commandeering the jukebox, horseshoes, football, basketball, action movies, flea markets, garage sales, and what is now known as “tavern style pizza.”Fred also loved “tooling around” at the family’s second home in Mountain Home (Henderson) Arkansas. A retirement home originally purchased by his father and mother in-law, Adam and Dorthy (Thompson) Stripeik.

Fred possessed a true dichotomouspersonality. Frugal but generous, tough but a big softy, serious but light-hearted, relaxed but impatient, loving but indifferent, venerated but incorrigible.

Fred was always at his best when helping other people out in a crisis. “Shirt off his back”kinda guy. That went for family and friends, his family’s friends, or friends of friends. He had many lifelong friends that were gritty “street smart” Southsiders, most of whom, astoundingly enough, he outlived.

One of Fred’s go-to statements was “I like to have a little fun too, yah know.” Broadly stating, if you’re having a party, I BETTER be invited, not that he was for sure, “gonna show.”

A Celebration of Life will be held at a TBD date and place.