Sterling E. Bollinger, 86, of Thurmont, died Monday, December 23, 2013 at the Frederick Memorial Hospital. He was the loving husband of Linda Nash Bollinger to whom he was married for 63 years.
Born November 17, 1927, in Emmitsburg, he was the son of the late Elmer and Eva Stitley Bollinger of Thurmont. After graduating from high school, Sterling entered the Armed Services where he was assigned to the Air Force Unit ASC-Control Towers Communications Squad.
Sterling attended the University of Maryland majoring in Dairy Science. Upon completion of his schooling, he started Bollinger Dairy and operated it from 1951-1958. In 1958, he purchased and operated Ideal Farms Dairy and Eberts Ice Cream Company. Later, Sterling purchased an insurance agency in Thurmont in 1970.
Sterling served as a County Commissioner of Frederick County, Maryland for 12 years as well as 59 years of service to the Kiwanis Club of Frederick. Sterling served on several civic, social and business associations including the Frederick County Chapter of the American Cancer Society, Maryland Board of ACS, Brute Council Knights of
Columbus, State Governmental Affairs Committee of the Chamber of Commerce, Life Underwriters Association of Frederick, Francis Scott Key Memorial Foundation and the 4H program supporting the Beef, Sheep and Swine Club of Frederick County.
Later in life Sterling owned and operated Gateway Candyland and Farm Market in Thurmont. However, he stayed active in politics through his Friday luncheons at the Shamrock.
Besides his wife, he is survived by his nine children, Sterling E. Bollinger Jr., Maggie Doll and husband John, Katrinka Martin, Paula Gills and husband John, Lee Bryan and husband Carl, David Bollinger and his wife Shelba, Joseph Bollinger and wife Lara, Mary Sweeney and husband Hal, Sam Bollinger and wife Jodie and a sister, Dolores Kipe of Las
Vegas, NV. In addition he is survived by his 20 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Sterling was predeceased by his brother, Elmer W. Bollinger.
The family will receive friends at the Stauffer Funeral Home, 104 E. Main St., Thurmont, MD 21788 on Friday, December 27, 2013 from 2-4PM and 6-9PM., where a prayer service will begin at 7:30PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, December 28 at St. Anthony Shrine Parish, 16150 St. Anthony Rd., Emmitsburg. Rev. John Dietrich
will be the celebrant.
Interment will follow at Mt. Carmel Cemetery, Thurmont.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to the Kiwanis Foundation, P.O. Box 404, Frederick, MD 21705 or a charity of your choice.
