Rhodell A. Sterchi, 91, of Olney died Saturday September 8, 2007 at his residence.  Burial in Haven Hill Cemetery in Olney with full military rites.

Mr. Sterchi was born in Richland County, the son of Herman C. and Nora A. (Burgener) Sterchi. He married Gladys M. Chaplin Sterchi on May 24, 1940 at a Baptist Church in Olney. She survives.

He retired from the U.S. Postal Service after 39 years of service. He was a member of First United Methodist Church in Olney, Richland County Farm Bureau, lifetime member of Oddfellows, 63-year member of American Legion and a lifetime member of Disabled American Veterans and Dundas Ruritan.

He was a scorekeeper for football, basketball and track for 36 years. He was a state champion in horseshoe pitching and was inducted into the Illinois High School Association Hall of Fame. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, serving as an expert rifleman.

Mr. Sterchi is survived by his wife, Gladys M. Sterchi of Olney; daughter, Jeri Lynn Wisher and her husband, Brian of Washington; son, Thomas Neal Sterchi and his wife, Mary Michael of Kansas City, Mo.; son, Ronald Gene Sterchi and his wife, Tesa of Columbia, Mo.; daughter Jacquiline Sue Dority and her husband, Michael of Glenwood Springs, Colo.; sister, Evelyn Sterchi Geimer of Cincinnati, Ohio; nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Marie Sterchi Benson.

Published in Olney Daily Mail (IL)