Timothy W. Stewart

STERLING – Timothy W. Stewart, age 44, of Sterling, died Saturday, June 23, 2012 at Serenity Hospice and Home in Oregon.

Timothy was born Dec. 5, 1967 in Sterling, the son of Harold and Alice (Charleston) Stewart. He married Tammy Hase June 13, 1992 in Princeton, Iowa. Timothy was a 1986 graduate of Rock Falls High School and received the presidential scholarship for Eureka College. While attending Eureka he was a member of the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from Eureka College in 1990 with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. After college he received a teaching position at St. Andrew Catholic Grade School in Rock Falls.

Timothy’s love for teaching was unsurpassed. He taught up until the end of the 2012 school year. Timothy was a football, wrestling and track coach at Newman Central Catholic High School for many years until he stepped down in 2001 to spend more time with his beloved family. Four years ago he started coaching his son’s junior tackle football team. Timothy absolutely loved coaching. He was an avid fan of Chicago sports, and would always wear his favorite sports teams’ shirts.

Timothy was a member of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sterling, and enjoyed singing in the choir. He also had been on the church council, and enjoyed playing on St. John’s softball team. Timothy enjoyed spending his summers in the fields detasseling and tending to his garden.

The family would like to especially thank the St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, St. Andrew Catholic Grade School family, Newman Central Catholic High School family, the LeMay family, Marty and Tammie Wolf, the Serenity Hospice and Home, and all who supported Team Stewart.

Survivors include his mother, Alice Stewart, Rock Falls; his wife, Tammy, Sterling; three children, Allison “Sunny Jo” Stewart, Andrew Stewart and Alec Stewart, all living at home; one sister, Cynthia Stewart, Chicago; and two brothers, Kenneth (Robyn) Stewart, Coleta, and Dennis (April McClure)Stewart, Eureka; and numerous nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly.

He was preceded in death by his father and one sister in infancy.

Gathering will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at St. John Lutheran Church in Sterling, 703 Third Ave. A memorial service will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at the church with the Rev. Mark Oehlert officiating. Burial will be at Riverside Cemetery in Sterling.

In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established to the family for Timothy’s three children and their future education.

Go to www.mcdonaldfuneralhomes.com to send online condolences.