Donald Houston

TISKILWA — Donald Eugene Sterling Houston, 85, passed away Thursday, Nov. 1, 2018, at Perry Memorial Hospital in Princeton, surrounded by loved ones.

Donald, lovingly referred to as Grumpy, was born on Dec. 4, 1932, to Donald and Celia (Romanelli) Sterling in Seatonville.

He attended Tiskilwa High School and graduated in 1951. Immediately after graduation he joined the U.S. Navy and served our country from 1951 to 1954. After his service, he went to work at Harper-Wyman, where he met the love of his life, Jenirose Sims. Don married his beloved Jenirose on Nov. 5, 1955, at the Princeton Baptist Church.

Don worked as a truck driver hauling cars and he also owned his own construction company for a time, the Houston Drywall Company. He retired at the age of 70 from Purdy Brothers Trucking Company.

He was the president of the Tiskilwa Snowmobile Club in its final year of operation. He enjoyed working on cars, woodworking, traveling and camping. He loved listening to country classics, especially the Generics. He also enjoyed fishing and NASCAR, considering himself a true Bill Elliott fan. His favorite thing to do above all was spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.

Don is survived by his adoring wife of almost 63 years, Jenirose Houston; two sons, Kevin (Nanette) Sterling and Roger (Laura) Sterling; three daughters, Karina (David) Prokes, Robin (Richard) Johnsen and Renea (Robert) Robison; 22 grandchildren, Jonathan, Jeremy, Daniel, Jennifer, Ryan, Lindsey, Ashlee, Stacy, Chloe, Harley, Rilee, Christopher, Gina, Jana, Emy, Annie, Michael, Christopher, Nathan, Justin, Jared and Jacob; two sisters, Dorothy Elmore and Patty Cabeen; and numerous great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Donald and Celia Sterling; one brother, Richard Sterling; and a very special aunt and uncle, Tony and Babe Rue.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Nov. 7, at the Norberg Memorial Home in Princeton. Services will follow the visitation on Wednesday at noon at the funeral home. The family is asking guests to share words of remembrance about Don at the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family.

Online condolences may be left at www.norbergfh.com.