Rev. John R. Sternberg

STERNBERG, THE REV. JOHN R. February 12, 1920 - November 23, 2006. The Rev. John Sternberg passed away peacefully on Nov. 23, 2006, at the age of 86. John Richard Sternberg was born on Feb. 12, 1920, in Chicago to Max and Bertha Sternberg, the first of two sons. At Mt. Olive Evangelical Lutheran Church, John was baptized on April 11, 1920, and later confirmed March 25, 1934. Hearing the Lord's call at the young age of 12, John studied for the ministry at Concordia University in Milwaukee and then to Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Mo. He graduated January 1945 and was ordained in February 1945. While serving his vicarage at St. Peter in Hampton, Neb., in 1944, he was assigned to help the pastor, but because of a shortage of teachers and World War II, he served the congregation as a teacher in a one-room schoolhouse. He met his future wife, Pearl Dorothy Wilshusen during his vicarage. On Feb. 4, 1945, they were married. They celebrated 58 years of marriage before Pearl passed away in 2003. John's first call as pastor was to Grace Lutheran in Neligh and Trinity in Elgin, Neb., where he served from 1945 to 1949. He then received a call to Memorial Lutheran Church in Vancouver where he served from 1949 to 1959. There he found his way back into the classroom, this time to teach in the religion department of Concordia College in Portland. He was then called to serve St. Peter Lutheran Church in Schaumburg, Ill., from 1960 to 1990 when he finally "retired" at age 70. While in Schaumburg, he also served as president of the Northern Illinois District-LCMS, founder of the Schaumburg Historical Society, and president of the Schaumburg Rotary to which he also received the highest honor bestowed upon Rotarians and maintained perfect attendance. In 1990, Jon and Pearl moved to Portland to enjoy their retirement with their children and grandchildren. After a brief "retirement," John was asked to serve as interim pastor at Ascension Lutheran Church in Gresham from 1990 to 1992. Again, after another very brief "retirement" he was asked to serve at Pilgrim Lutheran Church as pastoral assistant from 1993 to 1995, interim pastor from 1995 to 1997, and assistant to the pastor from 1997 to present. John was also active with CAS (Community Access Service), the Tigard Rotary, and volunteered for ESL (English as a Second Language). Because he was always so active, the term "retirement" became a family joke. John is survived by his son, Richard; daughter, Rhoda; daughter-in-law, Christine; son-in-law, Jon Becker; grandchildren, Janel, Shawn, Kara and Matthew; and great-grandchildren, Kyle, Megan and Payton. Viewing will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 29, and from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 30, at Pegg, Paxson & Springer Funeral Chapel, 4675 S.W. Watson, Beaverton, OR 97005. Graveside service will be held at 11:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. at Crescent Grove Cemetery, 9925 S.W. Greenburg Rd., Tigard, OR 97223. All are welcome to attend. Celebration of life memorial service will be at 4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1, at Pilgrim Lutheran Church, 5650 S.W. Hall Blvd, Beaverton, OR 97005. Refreshments to follow the service. Remembrances may be made to Pilgrim Lutheran Church, Lutheran Missions or the Lutheran Hour