Stirling O'Neill Edwards

Stirling ONeill Edwards, 53, of Macomb, Illinois went home to be with his Father and joined the ancestors on October 1, 2024, at home.
Named Stirling Edwards ONeill at birth, Stirling was born on Jan. 31, 1971, in Aurora, IL to Dr. Sherwood Edwards and R. Candace ONeill Arnold. He was also parented by his mother Betty Ann Dealey. He married Tammie Leigh Brown on Aug. 31, 2002, in Aurora, IL.
He attended C.I. Johnson Elementary School in Aurora, IL and graduated from St. Paul Lutheran School in Aurora, IL. At St. Paul, Stirling and his best friend Peter Medina dominated in basketball as they competed in several state tournaments during their years at the school. He then attended Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High School in Yarmouth, MA on Cape Cod, where he played football. He later returned to Illinois and graduated from East Aurora High School in Aurora, IL. At EAHS, Stirling participated in wrestling, football, was on the yearbook staff and gave one of the commencement speeches at his graduation. After high school, he attended Waubonsee Community College and provided security for individuals and businesses throughout the Chicagoland area.
Stirling was a competitor. Growing up in Aurora he participated in Boys Baseball of Aurora Minor, Major and Pony Leagues.Living in Aurora and Joliet, Big E was an avid league bowler at Parkside Lanes, Fair Lane Bowling Alley, St. Paul, Strike & Spare, Town & Country, Crest Hill Lanes, and various lanes throughout the Joliet area, Western suburbs and Northwest suburbs. He often teamed up with his father, Dr. Edwards, and his lifetime friend, Maurice Thomas. He shot several perfect 300 games, had a collection of more than 30 bowling balls, won several tournaments, and drove to Nevada to compete in the 2017 USBC Open Championship in Las Vegas.
As an adult, he was a conditioning enthusiast as he set state, national and world records in the weightlifting/powerlifting worlds. In the class of super heavyweight for bench press, deadlift and squat, Stirling competed at the Illinois State Fair Powerlifting competition, ANPPC Powerlifting Conference, and Son Light Power/Warrior Powerlifting Federation, among others. In 2004 at a World Drug-Free Powerlifting Federation Championship, Stirling established a world record of lifting a combined total of 1,151.75 lbs for the unequipped division in the police/fire/military category.
He also was involved with the American Pitbull Terrier Association. He traveled the country showing pitbulls, rescuing APBT dogs, and owning several in his lifetime. He loved collecting and selling pitbull art and artifacts. He made many friends in the pitbull show world and still kept in contact with him after he retired from show ring. During his time, we won several titles and ribbons in various categories with his dogs. He was passionate about the ethical treatment and breeding of pitbulls and believed the breed were misunderstood lovers.
Stirling was an active member of several social organizations.
A proud Union member of AFSCME Local 1866, Local 3585, and supporter of Fraternal Order of Police. As a young adult, he joined his father in the Masonic Family earning degrees at Keystone Lodge #15, Free & Accepted Masons(F&AM), Prince Hall Affiliated.Keystone was chartered in 1873, one of the oldest Masonic Lodges in the state of Illinois He received his 32 degree and made a member of the Marquette-Joliet Consistory/Valley of Joliet. Later he received his 32 degree and became a member of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry. He was a member of True Lodge #136 Prince Hall Affiliate, a member of Macomb Chapter #123 Order of Eastern Star, and Past Exalted Ruler of BPOE Macomb Elks Lodge #1009.
He was a longtime member of his alma maters East High Football Old Timers Association where he attended annual banquets. To support, he donated several cleats to the Tomcat football team. From 2008 to his passing, Stirling served on the City of Macombs Equal Opportunity and Fair Housing Commission where he served as chair; and was an elected official serving four years for the Macomb Park District.
Big Ed or Big E, as many people called, was known to be a cuddly teddy bear. Although he worked for the Illinois Department of Corrections for nearly three decades, Big Ed found a balance with work and home; he did a great job separating the prison from personal life. Starting at Stateville Correctional Center in the mid-90s, Stirling lived in the on-site officers dormitory. There, he and other officers created a community of colleagues who enjoyed a spirited after-work social life. From game nights and bowling to softball leagues and cookouts, these men became more like family than friends. Stirling often kept in contact with his former roommates, suitemates and other residents in the dorm. Often on shift at Stateville, Big E was filmed for several documentaries and tv specials as he prided himself in having shined shoes, a pressed uniform and was always camera ready. During his 10 years at SCC, he was active in his local union and was assigned to the tactical team infamously called Orange Crush.
After he and Tammie Leigh married, Stirling transferred to Mt. Sterling, IL. Here, he worked at Western Illinois Correctional Center and Clayton Work Camp. There he served on the adjustment committee, was active in his local union, volunteered his time during disaster relief efforts and joined civic organizations. Retiring in 2021 with more than 27 years of service, Stirling spent his retirement helping people. Either driving people to their medical appointments, checking up on family and friends, or sharing a meal with a friend, Stirling was a true servant to humankind.
Stirling loved spending time with his family and friends. He enjoyed his children, grandchildren, leaving a lasting impression on a stranger, a good game of chance, bike riding, swimming, traveling, watching sports, having faith in his Pittsburg Steelers and rooting for the success of his friends. A fan of House Music and various genres, Stirling had a vast collection of vinyl records as he was a DJ in Aurora and threw legendary parties. From small venues and clubs to house parties and large event spaces, Stirlings musical knowledge was impressive.
Confirmed in the Lutheran Church (Missouri Synod-Northern Illinois District) in 1985, later in life Stirling was a member and baptized at The Crossing Church (Macomb), attended the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Macomb and Mt. Calvary COGIC (Macomb).
Stirling is survived by his wife, second mother, his father and stepmother Linda Edwards, three sisters: Sherisa Edwards Franklin, Samantha ONeill Bell (Tim) Hoehn of Aurora, IL, Stephanie (Benjamin) Welden, of Cary, NC; one brother, Sherwood James (Florence) Edwards, of Aurora; three children: Devinne Hyman and Starkya Haney, both of Rockford, IL, and Sloane Edwards, of Macomb and two grandchildren: Autumn and Orion. He is also survived by nieces: Lisa Franklin, Ezra Welden, Palmer Welden and Azula Rosenburg, nephews: Lakye (Gracia) Franklin, Colby Welden and Niklaus Brown; and great nieces: Kylah Franklin, Munisa Franklin, Amira Shaheen, Aniyah St. Lawrence and Aubrey St. Lawrence and great nephews: Mohamed Franklin, Fernando Lemus, Joshua Franklin; father-in-law Brenson (Laura) Brown, mothers-in-law Pare Lee Johnson Brown and Randi Brammer Brown, sisters-in-law Andrea (Emily Rosenburg) Brown and Ashlee Brown, and a host of friends and a select group of men he called his brothers. He was preceded in death by his mother, stepfather Tom Arnold, his paternal grandparents Shervert and Molly (Judd) Edwards, and his maternal grandparents Amy Barnes MacKillop ONeill (a Cape Cod painter and sculptor) and Tom ONeill (an actor, recording artist and jazz pianist who used the performance/stage name of Tom Arnold).
Stirling also considered John and Verda Medina his parents, and in turn, they called him their third son. Their youngest child, Ryan, has jokingly said on many occasions that Stirling was the brother he never wanted, but the four children and their extended family always included Stirling in the Medina kid count. Stirling will be remembered by his special siblings: Natalie (Clarence) Medina Washington, Jonna Kaatz, Pete (Danielle) Medina and Ryan Medina.
Memorials can be provided to the following: Sloanes educational fund Venmo @tammie-brown-edwards, Zelle writeontlb@yahoo.com, East High Football Old Timers Assc. via the treasurers Zelle 630-788-5288 or Venmo @EHOTFA; and youth bowling at Diggers College City Bowl, checks made payable to Macomb USBC.
Visitation Will be held on Saturday October 12, 2024, from 12 pm until 2:30 pm at the Dodsworth-Piper-Wallen Funeral Home. Friends can share memories at 1:30pm and committal prayer will be performed at 2pm. Lunch will follow the service at the Macomb Elks Lodge #1009. Cremation Rites will be accorded following visitation. Please sign the guestbook and leave condolences at www.dodsworthfh.com
Visitation
Saturday, October 12, 2024
12:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Dodsworth-Piper-Wallen Funeral Home
201 W Carroll St.
Macomb,Illinois
61455 To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Stirling, please visit our Tree Store.