Sterling L. Cowger

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Sterling L. Cowger, 74, Carrier Mills, died at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 13, 2010, at Heartland Regional Medical Center in Marion.

Sterling was born in Saline County on April 29, 1936, to the late Miledge and Violet Proffitt Cowger. He married the former Georgia McCutcheon on Sept. 29, 1957, and she survives.

Sterling was a graduate of Murray State University in Murray, Ky. He began his teaching career in Mounds during the 1959-60 school year. He came to Carrier Mills during the 1963-64 school year and taught there until his retirement in 1993. He was an avid sports fan and coached basketball and baseball many of his years as teacher. Sterling was a loved teacher and had a great influence on many of the students he taught. Many students affectionately called him "Mr. C" or "Coach." He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Carrier Mills and the Young at Heart Sunday School class of the church.

He is survived by his wife, Georgia; daughter and son-in-law, Jacque and Steve McKinney of Marion; son and daughter-in-law, Greg and Karen Cowger of Stonefort; son and daughter-in-law, David and Tiffany Cowger of West Salem-Albion; several grandchildren, Aaron and Ashley Gibbs, Josh and Cassie McKinney, Kaley McKinney, Moriah McKinney, Nick and Barb Cowger, Cody and Rachel Cowger, Dallan Cowger, Camden Cowger and Addison Cowger; and two great-grandchildren, James Micaiah Gibbs and Krista Cowger.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, Jackie Wayne Cowger.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2010, in the First United Methodist Church in Carrier Mills with Pastor Stan Irvin officiating and his son-in-law Steve McKinney giving the eulogy. Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2010, at the church. Burial will be in Salem Cemetery.

In respect to the wishes of the family, flowers should be omitted and expressions of sympathy be made to the Sterling Cowger Memorial Scholarship Fund. Envelopes will be available at the church.

Absher-Nicholson Funeral Home in Carrier Mills is in charge of the arrangements.