Anna Mae Wirth

STERLING -- Anna Mae Etling, 92, of Sterling, died Monday, March 28, 2016, at LifeCare Hospice, Wooster, after a period of declining health.

Anna Mae was born Feb. 10, 1924, in Rittman to the late Phillip Henry and Clara (Lance) Wirth and was a 1942 graduate of Sterling High School. On May 10, 1947, she married John Etling and together they shared 68 wonderful years together until his death on Dec. 12, 2015.

For 38 years, she and John owned and operated the Etling Grocery Store in Sterling and she had previously worked at the PCA in Rittman, Sterling Commercial Bank and Sterling Post Office.

She had made her home in Sterling most of her life, moving to Wooster in 2008. Following John's death she was able to move back to Sterling and live with her granddaughter, Erica in the home that John and Anna Mae had lived in.

She was a life member of Sterling United Methodist Church, where he held various offices over the years, was a Youth Fellowship adviser and was a member of the women's quilting group. Anna Mae was a member of the Pythian Sisters and the former Rittman Grange. She was a poll worker for the election board and enjoyed working puzzles.

Surviving are a son, Ric (Holly) Etling of Creston, and a daughter, Vicki McCombs of Bellefontaine; grandchildren, Erica Etling and Bryant Boley, Kimberly McKee, Kelli Bailey Robinson, Bobbi Bailey and Annie Bailey Manbevers; great-grandchildren, Ashlyn, Alexis and Chandra Reed, Zayne, Zylar and Zaige Huffman, Amara McKee, Elijah Moore, Parker and Brooklyn Robinson and Allison Cherry; a sister-in-law, Treva Wirth of Wooster; and nieces, nephews and many dear friends.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by an infant granddaughter, Michelle Etling; a sister, Mary Chase; and brothers, Roy and Dale Wirth.

Services will be Friday at 11 a.m. at Sterling United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Tami Toothman-Shoup officiating. Burial will be in Sterling Crown Hill Cemetery. Friends may call Thursday from 5-7 p.m. at Murray Funeral Home in Creston. Tributes may be shared at www.Murray-Funeral-Home.com.

Memorials may be made to LifeCare Hospice, 1900 Akron Road, Wooster 44691.

A special thanks to Dr. Lance and the staff at LifeCare Hospice for their wonderful care of Anna Mae and the family over the last few weeks. Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain.