COFFEYVILLE — Joseph Eugene Sterk, 96, of Coffeyville died on his birthday Sunday, July 11, 2010, at Coffeyville Regional Medical Center.

He was born in 1914 at Monett, Mo., to Joseph A. and Gertrude (Smith) Sterk. He completed his high school education and attended a year at junior college at Parsons.

On Feb. 22, 1940, he married Charlotte McCollum in Nowata, Okla. The couple later divorced. In 1961 he married Billie Francis Bean; the couple later divorced.

He was a master cabinet maker and worked for Sturm Fixture Co. in Coffeyville before retiring.

Surviving are his children, James R. Sterk, Sharon M. Sterk, both all of Tulsa, Joseph A. (Tony) Sterk of Bartlesville, Okla., Christopher E. and Charles D. Sterk, both of Coffeyville; three grandchildren; a great-grandson; and two brothers, Charles William of Summerfield, N.C., and James A. of Coffeyville.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at Holy Name Catholic Church. Burial will be at the Calvary Cemetery in Coffeyville. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Penwell-Gabel Ford-Wulf-Bruns Funeral Home to sign the guest register. The family will greet friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

The family suggests memorial contributions to Meals On Wheels or Holy Name Catholic Church, these may be left with the funeral home.

To leave online condolensces, visit www.PenwellGabelCoffeyville.com.