Sterling Roy Cornelius

Sterling Roy Cornelius, 83, of Kansas City, MO, went to his heavenly home on Sunday, December 9, 2018. He was born August 10, 1935, in Fresno County, CA to Lester "Ted" and Genevieve (Harrison) Cornelius. On October 17, 1953, he married Shirley Stamper in Ava, MO. They were married 65 years and blessed with three daughters.

Sterling was active in FFA, played football, was a featherweight golden glove winner and raised ribbon winning sheep. He joined the Sheet Metal Workers' Local #2 in 1953 and went through its apprenticeship program. After becoming a journeyman, he was a foreman and superintendent on several jobs. He had to retire in 1993 after being hurt on the job. Sterling loved family gatherings, playing games, hunting, fishing, stock car races and in his early years he hill climbed with his motorcycle. He was always busy with his hands, gardening, fixing and building things.

Sterling was preceded in death by his parents, Lester "Ted" and Genevieve Cornelius; and his sister, Emma Clinkingbeard. He is survived by his wife, Shirley (Stamper) Cornelius; daughters and their husbands, Carey and Roger Martin, Deland, FL, Jeanie and Barry Gibson, Platte Woods, MO, and Sandy and Dan Hultgren, Oakview, MO; grandchildren and spouses, Stacy and Kelly Sutherland-Hodge, Sanford, FL, Karin Hodge, Hudson, FL, Miranda Hodge, Hudson, FL, Melissa and Ace Gabauer, Shawnee, KS, Marie Godley, Kansas City, MO, Sarah and Allen Reed, Oakview, MO, and Jenifer and Brant Campbell, Kansas City, MO; great grandchildren, Kaity Hodge, Isabelle Hodge, Candice Sutherland-Hodge, Riley Sutherland-Hodge, Parker King, Trenton Reed, Spencer Reed and Kaelyn Campbell; as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Visitation will begin at 12 noon, followed by a service celebrating Sterling's life at 1:00 pm, on Friday, December 14, at Park Lawn Northland Chapel, I-35 at State Route 291, Liberty. Burial will follow in Glenridge Cemetery. Memorial donations are suggested to the Heart of America Alzheimer's Association, American Heart Association or American Diabetes Foundation.

Visitation will begin at 12 noon, followed by a service celebrating Sterling’s life at 1:00 pm, on Friday, December 14, at Park Lawn Northland Chapel, I-35 at State Route 291, Liberty. Burial will follow in Glenridge Cemetery.