Sterling DeMond

Dr. Sterling Ramon DeMond died peacefully on January 4, 2024, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, at the age of 85.

Sterling is survived by his wife, Mary Ann Lehman DeMond, his children JoJean Thompson and husband Bryan of Houghton Lake, MI, Ramon DeMond and wife Treasa of Ft. Wayne, IN, and Janelle Bauer and husband Mark of Rapid City, SD, as well as his siblings Helen Noble and husband James, and Douglas DeMond and wife Peggy. He has 11 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his first wife, Carole DeMond, and grandson Nathaniel Bauer.

Sterling was born on October 18, 1938, in Hastings, MI. He was graduated from Marion College with a bachelor’s in Pastoral Ministries, Wheaton College with a master’s in Christian Education, and Luther Rice Seminary with a doctorate in Ministry. He married his Marion College sweetheart, Carole, in 1960. Over the years, they moved from Illinois to Wisconsin to Michigan to Indiana, pastoring over 13 churches, some in a circuit rotation. He was a camp director at Camp Lakeview in Goodrich, MI, and at South Side Mission Camp in Peoria, IL. For 13 years, he taught Christian Education at Fort Wayne Bible College on Rudisill Boulevard and took students on wilderness camping expeditions each year as credit for their Camp Administration minors. 
His children remember him as a devout follower of Jesus who spent his life in ministry trying to encourage others to become the people God created them to be. His wife of 10 years, Mary Ann, remembers him as a loving husband, best friend, and spiritual partner in ministry endeavors.

Sterling infused energy into whatever he was doing. Whether it was teaching, preaching, performing magic, rock rappelling, canoeing, building, playing softball, or writing, he pursued it with enthusiasm and the heart of an educator in bringing others along. 

His legacy was putting Christian love into action. If he saw anyone in need or decided to help someone, Sterling found a way to meet their needs. He never passed a motorist in trouble without stopping. Many of us have benefitted from his generosity as he used his gifts to help others.

Sterling passed along his organizational skills to the next generation by teaching them how to outline and to file their work to be used again. In teaching students how to preach, his methods were direct in using easy-to-understand outlines and creative in using captivating visuals and hooks. 

Through the years, his unique combination of organizational, visionary, and creative skills resulted in the production of many engaging programs and ministries. He loved illustrating Biblical lessons in the most creative ways. The Hebrew names of God were one of his favorite studies since he loved delving into His many attributes. Sterling’s passion for creativity paired with careful exegesis has inspired many to become better teachers and preachers.

Viewing hours will be from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Friday, January 12, 2024, at Grace Point Nazarene, 8611 Mayhew Road, Fort Wayne. The funeral will follow at 12:00 p.m. at the same location. Daniel Thompson will officiate the ceremony. All are welcome to attend the celebration of Sterling’s life.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Brethren Disaster Ministries @ https://www.brethren.org/bdm/mission/. 

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