STERLING – Theodore C. Kontos, 88, of Sterling, died Wednesday, July 11, 2012, at Rockford Memorial Hospital.

Ted was born Jan. 23, 1924, in Chicago Heights, the son of C.J. and Elizabeth (Febriech) Kontos. He was a graduate of Sterling High School and the University of Illinois. He served in the Army during World War II, in an armored tank in the Phillipines. He was united in marriage to Marjorie Cameron on June 18, 1952, in Sterling. They just celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with their family.

He was a founder, and on the board of directors, at the Whiteside County Bank in Morrison. Ted held all the offices at the American Legion Post 296, Secretary of the Veterans Assistance Committee and was past president of Sterling Historical Society. He served as the National Flag Lieutenant for the commander of the U.S. Power Squadron, and he was on the Honor Flight last May. He was a 50-year member of the Sterling Noon Rotary. Ted earned the highest honors in Geodetic Bench Marking. He owned and operated Sterling, State, and Strand theatres, and Midway and Eri-Lynn drive-ins.

He is survived by his wife, Margie Kontos; two daughters, Cathy (Jerry) Binder of Sterling and Nancy (Bruce) Crowe of Coal Valley; four grandchildren, Amee Binder of Chicago, Josh (Betsy) Binder of Naperville, Kelsey Crowe of Edwardsville and Jacob Crowe of Coal Valley; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers.

A celebration of life for all family and friends will be at 11 a.m. July 28 at First Christian Church of Sterling, where he attended, with the Rev. David Yonker, pastor, officiating. Cremation rites have been accorded. Burial will be at Oak Knoll Cemetery in Sterling. Arrangements were completed by Garland Funeral Home in Walnut.

In lieu of flowers, the Ted Kontos Scholarship fund has been established through the Sterling Schools Foundation.

Visit www.garlandfuneralhome.com to send condolences.