Thomas Allen “Tom” or “Butch” Sterling II, 53, of Fort Wayne, Ind., and formerly of Syracuse, Ind., passed away on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2013, at his home.

He was born July 6, 1960, in Wayne County, Ind., to Thomas and Juanita (Foster) Sterling.

He lived most of his life in the Syracuse area and graduated in 1979 from Wawasee High School. He was a self-employed contractor and formerly worked at Sea Nymph in Syracuse for several years and ABC Auto Auction in Indianapolis, Ind., as a sales director for 12 years. He moved to Fort Wayne 4 years ago from the Indianapolis / Anderson areas where he had lived for 15 years.

He is survived by a daughter: Angela (Gary) Hettinger, Milford, Ind.; two sons: Tom (Sandra) Sterling III, Fort Wayne; Robert Sterling, Edwardsburg, Mich.; five grandchildren and his lifetime companion: Kathy Sweatland.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 26, at Owen Family Funeral Home, 1001 S. Huntington St., Syracuse. Private family burial will take place in the Syracuse Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Thomas Sterling Funeral Fund, c/o Owen Family Funeral Home, 1001 S. Huntington St., Syracuse, IN 46567. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.