Jack and Phyllis Sturm
Jack and Phyllis (nee Joiner) Sturm grew up in Middlefield. Jack, born Jan. 16, 1931, was the oldest son of Tom and Jean Sturm, and he had a younger brother, Bill. Phyllis, born July 17, 1934, was the second child of Hugh and Martha (nee Sperry) Joiner, and she had an older sister, Ethlyn, and a younger brother, Philip, and a younger sister, Nina.
The Sturm family lived in town and the Joiner family lived in the township. All the children went to school in Middlefield. And, both fathers worked at the Johnson Rubber Company, until they each retired.
Jack and Phyllis met at school, but didn’t start dating until after Jack graduated in 1949. They got married on May 5, 1951, and raised two children, a daughter, Linda, and a son, Ken.
The first home they bought was on Swine Creek Road, next to her sister and brother-in-law, Ethlyn and Howard Lucht, and family. There, Jack and Phyllis raised their young family, had a large vegetable garden and many flower beds. Best of all, the cousins loved playing outside together.
Jack started working at 10 years old, delivering newspapers, with his brother all around Middlefield. He later drove a semi-truck, delivered milk and worked for Gibbs Excavating for a few years, before getting a job at the Johnson Rubber Company. He worked for 35 years there, before retiring. He also worked part-time for the Halstead Furniture Store, delivering furniture.
Jack was a volunteer fireman with the Middlefield Fire Department for many years. He and Phyllis were active in church and were members of the Middlefield United Methodist Church until they moved out of the area.
Phyllis was a homemaker and very dedicated to her family. She spent many hours working in their gardens, canning food and making mouth-watering meals for her family. For a few years, she worked part-time at the White Brothers Grocery Store on the weekends, but wanted to be home for her children and husband when they would come home from school and work each day.
She was active in the Middlefield Historical Society. Much later in her life she was the secretary at the Gainesville Pregnancy Center, in Gainesville, Ga.
Jack and Phyllis left Middlefield in 1986, after Jack took an early retirement to move closer to their family. At that time, Linda (David) Brown and family lived in Deltona, Fla., and Ken (Gail) Sturm and family lived in Gainesville, Ga.
Jack and Phyllis settled in Cleveland, Ga., for 25 years to be close to Ken’s family. They loved Georgia, its seasons, the mountains, being close to family and dear friends there.
In May of 2012, Phyllis suffered a severe stroke, that left her in need of care. Jack and Phyllis moved in with their daughter, Linda (David) and family in Deltona, Fla., then six months later to Deland, Fla. Two families, with two households in one house; it made for some interesting challenges. It also allowed Linda and family to be close to her parents once again for their last 10 years.
When you think of Jack and Phyllis Sturm, the immediate word that comes to mind is FAMILY. The love Jack and Phyllis had for the families they were born into was strong. Visits to Huntsburg Township or the Ohio Valley to visit family while growing up brought back fond memories. Their love for the family they made together and the generations after them was great. Their love for their Lord was even greater. These were their legacies they passed on to those they loved.
To be near grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, sons, daughters, grandchildren was a gift, not taken for granted. To be able to invest time and wisdom in the lives of their family was Jack and Phyllis’ greatest gift to give.
On Jan. 19, 2021, Jack passed into the presence of his Lord, with Phyllis by his side, holding his hand. On Oct. 31, 2022, Phyllis passed into the presence of her Lord, while at the Alliance Community in Deland, Fla. Once again, Jack and Phyllis were together, once again they were with the family that had passed away and once again, they were singing praises to their Lord.
Once again, Jack and Phyllis’ bodies will be going back home to Middlefield.
On June 22, 2023, at 11 a.m., there will be a graveside service for Jack and Phyllis at the Middlefield Cemetery. All are invited to join the family as they lay Jack and Phyllis’ earthly bodies to rest until Jack and Phyllis one day receive their new heavenly bodies when their Lord returns.
The family would like to thank each one that meant so much to their dear parents, grandparents and great-grandparents, Jack and Phyllis Sturm. Your friendship, influences and encouragement in their lives was not forgotten.
