Obituary of Alice Oberbillig

ALICE A. OBERBILLIG STERLING - Alice A. Oberbillig, 93, of Sterling, died peacefully in her sleep on Saturday, October 31, 2009, at Coventry Living Center in the care of Unity Hospice. Mrs. Oberbillig was born on April 25, 1916 in Sterling, the daughter of Benjamin Franklin and Mary (Tarvin) Bartlow. She married the love of her life, Robert Allen Oberbillig, in 1944 in Morrison. He preceded her in death on April 18, 1957. Alice began her employment with the City of Sterling at the Dale Carnegie Library on West 4th Street when she was a sophomore at Sterling High School. She continued on until her retirement as Head Librarian. After she retired, Alice became an avid radio listener of the Chicago Cubs games and kept track of the players and the team's progress. Alice loved all animals and was well known as a devout member of the Whiteside County Humane Society. She worked incessantly to treat and care for abused and stray animals. After her retirement, she dearly loved the birds that she continually fed in her backyard, while she enjoyed their songs and way of life. Eventually, she also put out rabbit and squirrel feeders for her enjoyment. Another favorite pastime was planting and cultivating her flowers for bursts of color in her yard. Survivors include a sister, Martha (Robert) DeLong, of Ocala, FL; one nephew, Christopher Farnham, of Wheat Ridge, CO; several cousins and many good friends and neighbors, including Marie and Jim Foley family, Avis Sutton, Alice Newton, Deanna Seely, Pat Malaer, Darlene Jacobs and Barbara Mellendorf. She was also preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Flora Farnham. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 A.M., Tuesday, November 3, 2009, at the Schilling Funeral Home, Sterling. She will be buried next to her beloved husband at Riverside Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10-11 A.M. at the funeral home, prior to services. A memorial has been established.