AKRON – Lauraine Sterk, 89, Akron, and formerly of South Holland, Ill., died at 5:35 p.m. April 1, 2014, in Kosciusko Community Hospital, Warsaw. She was born Nov. 15, 1924, in Chicago to Thomas and Rica VanSanten Slager. On April 18, 1947, in Chicago, she married John C. Sterk, who preceded her in death Oct. 7, 1991. She was a 1941 graduate of Fenger High School in Roseland, Ill. She was a homemaker, and a member of the Lansing Gospel Chapel of Lansing, Ill. She had fellowship with Bethlehem Baptist Church and also with the Akron Church of God. Surviving are three daughters: Lauraine (and spouse Jim) VanRyn, Midlothian, Ill.; Betsy (and spouse Ed) Thompson, Oak Forrest, Ill.; Becky (and spouse Mike) Curiel, Crystal Lake, Ill.; three sons: John Thomas (and spouse Mary) Sterk, Wheaton, Ill.; Tim (and spouse Diana) Sterk, Munster; David (and spouse Penny) Sterk, Akron; 12 grandchildren: Heather, Julie, JT, Jacob, Sara, Seth, Abby, John, Nathan, David, Michael and Michelle; and three great-grandchildren: Brayden, Brooklyn and Eli. She was also preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, John and Adrian Slager; and a sister, Betty Boerma. Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Hartzler Funeral Home, 305 W. Rochester St., Akron, with Speaker Peter Thomson officiating. Burial is in Akron Cemetery. Calling is from 4 to 9 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. ***** Memorials to American Cancer Society. Condolences may be sent via www.hartzlerfuneralservices.com
