HERKIMER-Jean M. Sterling, age 81, of Protection Avenue, passed away peacefully on Friday, December 19, 2014, in Folts Homes. She was born on November 23, 1933, in East Herkimer, daughter of the late Arthur and Edna Lepper Clark. Jean was raised in Herkimer where she graduated from Herkimer High School with the class of 1950. On June 27, 1953 she was united in marriage with Frederick Thomas Sterling in Mohawk. They shared a loving and devoted union of thirty-five years until his passing on November 30, 1988. Mrs. Sterling came to Herkimer in 1988 where she has remained since. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Herkimer. Mrs. Sterling was employed for fourteen years at New York State Rome DDSO as a private care provider. She retired in 1989. Jean will always be remembered as a caring person and distinguished herself by starting the First Family Care of Herkimer County. To those who knew her she was a loving mother and grandmother. She was always there for them in the good times and the bad. She will be greatly missed. Surviving are three sons, Robert Sterling and his wife Nancy of Utica, Dennis Sterling and his wife Deborah of Herkimer, Randy Sterling of Ilion, a brother, Arthur "Jake" Clark and his wife June of Ilion, one sister, Nancy Riecker of North Utica, two grandchildren, several nieces, nephews and cousins along with dear friends, Anna Miller, Dawn and Jim Ingersoll. Besides her parents and husband Fred she was preceded in death by one son Mark Sterling on March 11, 2011. Calling hours for Mrs. Sterling will take place on Tuesday December 30th from 5:00 until 7:00 pm in Fenner Funeral Home, Inc., 115 Court Street; Herkimer. A funeral service will follow immediately after at 7:00 pm in the funeral home with the Reverend Janet Gleason, pastor of the First United Methodist Church, Herkimer officiating. Interment will be next spring in Oak Hill Cemetery. The family wishes to express their appreciation to the Hospice and Palliative Care for the caring and compassion shown to Jean and her family during this difficult time.